THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


THE     MOB     IX     ALL     ITS     TERRIBLE     FURY     WAS>     DEPICTED. 


COLUMBIAN  HISTORICAL  NOVELS.    VOLUME  III. 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE 


A  STORY  OF  THE  HUGUENOTS  IN  AMERICA 


BY 


JOHN  R.  MUSICK 

Author  of  "Columbia,"  "  Estevan,"  "Pocahontas,"  Etc.,  Etc. 


Illustrations  by 
FREELAND  A.  CARTER. 


Krto  Forft 

FUNK  &  WAGNALLS  COMPANY 

LONDON  AND  TORONTO 
1895 


COPYRIGHT,  1892,  BY  THE 
FUNK  &  WAGNALLS   COMPANY 


[Registered  at  Stationer!?  Hall,  London,  Eng.] 


Printed  in  the  United  States. 


PREFACE. 


ST.  AUGUSTINE    was  founded  during  a  period 
which  most  historians  seek  to  avoid.      Mr.  Bancroft 
fc-   devotes  but  ten  pages  to  it  in  his  history  of  the 
United  States,  and  other  historians  have  given  it 
I   even  less  space.     A  period  so  stained  with  blood 
•§   and  crime  is  usually  passed  by  as  rapidly  as  possi 
ble  by  the  historian,  who  doubtless  shudders  even 
in  his  hurried  march  over  the  unpleasant  ground. 
And  yet  this  period  is  one  of  the  most  important  of 
:    all  the  ages  through  which  our  country  has  passed. 
At  this  time  the   Spaniards,    a  Catholic    nation, 
cJ    controlled  the  New  World.     The  papal  bull  granted 
^    to  Spain  all  the  countries  discovered  by  Columbus, 
§    and  no  Catholic  nation   dared  violate  that  procla- 
3J    mation.     The  Pope  declared  that  all  the  undiscov- 
3    ered  countries  were  God's,  and  he,  as  the  repre 
sentative  of  God,  alone  had  power  to  bestow  them  on 
the  kings  of  the  earth.     But  for  the  Reformation, 

449813 


iv  PREFACE. 

this  country,  in  all  probability,  would  have  been  a 
Spanish  dominion  or  republic. 

The  story  opens  just  when  the  great  struggle  for 
political  and  religious  liberties  was  at  its  height. 
The  author  has  endeavored  to  narrate  impartially 
the  events,  without  screening  either  Spanish,  Cath 
olic,  or  French  Huguenot.  Francisco  Estevan,  a 
native  of  Cuba,  was  a  son  of  Christopher  Estevan 
who  served  under  Pizarro  and  De  Soto,  and  a 
grandson  of  Hernando  Estevan  who  came  with 
Columbus  on  his  first  voyage.  Francisco,  by  nat 
ure  a  soldier,  was  designed  by  his  parents  for  the 
cloister,  and  as  soon  as  he  arrived  at  the  age  of 
maturity  was  sent  to  Spain  to  become  a  priest. 
Here,  by  accident,  he  met  a  beautiful  Huguenot, 
Hortense  De  Barre,  with  whom  he  fell  in  love. 
His  subsequent  struggles  with  his  conscience,  his 
many  adventures  in  the  West  Indies  and  in  Florida, 
covering  a  period  from  1560  to  1585,  form  the 
theme  of  this  volume. 

JOHN  K.  MUSICK. 
KirJcsvilk,  Mo. ,  March  1st,  1892. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

PAGE 

THE  DEPARTURE, 1 

CHAPTER   II. 
COLIGNI'S  PET  SCHEME  FOR  THE  PERSECUTED,     .        .      17 

CHAPTER   III. 
THE  SHIPWRECK— A  VISION, 37 

CHAPTER  IV. 

SEEKING  HOMES  AND  PEACE,         .        .  .        .58 

CHAPTER   V. 
FROM  SAINTS  TO  PIRATES,     .        .        .  - .        .75 

CHAPTER   VI. 
IN  FLORIDA, 92 

CHAPTER  VII. 
SIR  JOHN  HAWKINS, 112 

CHAPTER   VIII. 
HORTENSE  DE  BARRE — THE  CLOUD,      .        .        .        .128 

CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  HURRICANE, 144 

v 


vi  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER   X. 

PAGE 

SAINT  AUGUSTINE ,158 

CHAPTER   XI. 
THE  REIGN  OF  TERROR,     .   *       ,.       ...       .        .172 

CHAPTER  XII. 

"  NOT  AS  FRENCHMEN,  BUT  AS  LUTHERANS,  "        .        .    182 

CHAPTER   XIII. 
THE  FRIENDLY  CHIEF 196 

CHAPTER   XIV. 
THE  WILY  GYROT .        .210 

CHAPTER   XV. 
THE  AVENGER, 226 

CHAPTER   XVI. 
THE  PLAN  OF  ATTACK, 241 

CHAPTER   XVII. 
RETRIBUTION, 255 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

"  NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS,  BUT  AS  TRAITORS, 

ROBBERS  AND  MURDERERS,  " 269 

CHAPTER   XIX. 
DEFYING  THE  FATES 284 

CHAPTER   XX. 
CONCLUSION, 300 

HISTORICAL  INDEX,         ,        ,,       ,        e        .        .311 
CHRONOLOGY,         .       .       »       .       »  321 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE 

The  mob  in  all  its  terrible  fury  was  depicted  (see 

page  29), Frontispiece 

Rodrigo  Estevan, 10 

The  report  of  two  lombards  shook  the  sea,  .  .  15 

King  Charles  IX. , 30 

A  flash  revealed  an  object  tossing  on  the  surf,  .  .  46 

"Who  is  he  who  follows  us  so  persistently?"  .  .  51 

Gyrot  betraying  Laudonniere  to  the  pirates,  .  .  79 

"Walk!"  yelled  the  pirate  at  last,  ....  88 

u I  will  aid  you  with  my  life," 97 

He  appeared  more  cunning  and  ferocious  in  irons 

than  before 105 

Shouting,  singing,  dancing,  laughing  and  crying, 

they  ran  down  to  the  bay,  ....  122 

Sir  John  Hawkins, 123 

Melendez,       .........  158 

John  Gyrot  held  aloft  the  blazing  torch,  the  smile 

of  a  devil  on  his  face 180 

"  Not  as  Frenchmen,  but  as  Lutherans, "...  186 
"Do  you  expect  French  soldiers  under  you  to  obey 

orders,  senor?" 194 

She  went  whithersoever  he  led,  .....  202 

"Touch  her  and  die!" 240 

"  Retribution  !"  shouted  De  Gourges  in  trumpet  tones,  260 

It  was  over;  but  how  had  it  ended?  ....  273 

"God  wills  it,  be  my  wife,  Hortense, "  .  .  .  292 

A  forest  maiden, 294 

Map  of  the  period, 116 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 


CHAPTER   I. 


THE  DEPARTURE. 


El- 


ARLY  in  Spanish  American  his 
tory,  Havana,  Cuba,  became  a 
flourishing  commercial  city, 
eclipsing  all  competitors,.,  until 
she  reached  what  she  is  to-day, 
the  metropolis  of  the  West 
Indies.  As  early  as  1561, 
before  any  permanent  set 
tlement  had  been  made 
within  the  present  terri 
tory  of  the  United  States, 
Havana  was  doing  a  flour 
ishing  trade,  and  her  magnificent  harbor  was 
crowded  with  ships  from  Europe.  The  magnitude 
of  America  was  still  unknown.  As  yet  the  Spaniards 
were  the  only  people  who  had  crossed  the  ocean  to 
plant  colonies  on  the  western  hemisphere.  The  West 


2  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Indies  had  been  subjugated,  Darien  was  under  the 
dominion  of  Spain,  and  Mexico  and  Peru,  those 
wonderfully  civilized  empires,  were  subjugated  by 
the  Spaniards  with  a  sacrifice  of  life  and  cruelties 
shocking  to  the  modern  historian.  Other  nations 
of  Europe  were  becoming  aroused  to  the  importance 
of  American  discoveries.  Magellan's  expedition 
around  the  world  had  established  the  proof  that 
the  earth  was  globular,  a  fact  disputed  by  learned 
men  about  half  a  century  before.  The  Cabots, 
sailing  in  the  interest  of  England,  and  seeking  for 
that  chimerical  northwest  passage,  which  even 
modern  navigators  believe  to  exist,  explored  the 
Atlantic  coast  and  Labrador.  Verazzani,  Cartier, 
and  others,  sailing  under  the  French  flag,  had  made 
some  discoveries  and  taken  possession  of  what  is 
now  Canada  in  the  name  of  New  France;  but,  as 
yet,  there  had  been  only  discoveries.  No  perma 
nent  settlement  had  been  formed  except  by  the 
Spaniards. 

All  Europe,  at  this  moment,  was  quaking  with 
internal  strife,  which  had  much  to  do  with  deter 
ring  others  from  taking  part  in  the  conquests  of 
America.  The  world  was  just  on  the  eve  of  a 
revolution  in  religious  thought.  At  the  opening 
of  our  story  Europe  was  just  entering  on  the  most 
important  period  of  the  world's  history  since  the 
advent  of  the  Saviour,  the  great  Eeformation. 


THE  DEPARTURE.  3 

Religious  discussions  as  yet  had  not  disturbed 
the  New  World.  The  Spaniards  were  a  people  of 
one  faith.  To  them,  the  Roman  Catholic  Church 
was  the  door  to  heaven,  guarded  by  St.  Peter, 
and  the  only  entrance  for  the  soul  into  that  eternal 
rest.  To  rebel  against  the  church  established  by 
the  Apostle  Peter,  from  whom  the  Pope,  in  regular 
succession,  received  his  authority,  was,  to  the  Span 
iard,  equivalent  to  a  rebellion  against  God.  Dis 
puted  questions  were  in  those  days  settled  by 
argument  or  the  sword,  and  more  frequently  by 
the  latter  than  the  former.  With  religious  feelings 
aroused,  the  quarrel  became  personal,  and  the  per 
secutions  bitter,  while  the  oft-repeated  words  of 
the  Master,  "Peace  and  goodwill  toward  men," 
seemed  to  be  forgotten. 

To  the  Cubans,  the  struggle  in  Europe  was  a 
holy  war,  and  many  a  battle-scarred  pioneer,  who 
had  fought  under  Cortez,  Pizarro,  and  De  Soto, 
wished  himself  in  Europe  to  take  part  in  the  strug 
gle.  The  groans  from  Piedemonte,  Toulouse,  and 
other  persecuted  districts  were  heard  around  the 
world,  but  awoke  no  feeling  of  sympathy  in  the 
breasts  of  the  bigoted  Catholics  of  the  West  Indies. 

One  of  the  best  families  in  the  metropolis  of  the 
New  World  at  this  time  was  a  family  named  Este- 
van.  They  did  not  occupy  a  high  official  position, 
for  they  had  been  constantly  on  the  frontier,  con- 


4  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

quering,  exploring,  and  colonizing,  instead  of 
courting  the  preference  of  kings  and  princes. 
The  head  of  the  family,  Christopher  Estevan,  a 
namesake  of  Christopher  Columbus,  was  the  first 
child  born  of  white  parents  in  the  New  World. 
From  infancy  he  had  been  associated  with  men 
whose  names  are  familiar  in  history  as  conquerors. 
When  a  child,  he  sat  on  the  knee  of  Cortez  and 
Don  Diego  Columbus,  who  succeeded  his  father  as 
admiral.  He  was  with  Pizarro  in  Peru,  and  at 
tended  the  funeral  of  De  Soto.  His  father,  Her- 
nando  Estevan,  had  come  with  Columbus  on  his 
first  voyage  to  America,  and  had  always  been  a 
warm  bosom  friend  of  the  great  discoverer. 

Christopher  Estevan  had  removed  to  Havana 
from  St.  Jago  several  years  before  the  date  of  our 
narrative,  1561.  He  was  not  old  in  years,  being 
only  fifty-two,  but  long  exposure  and  numerous 
wounds  received  in  battle  prematurely  aged  the 
veteran. 

A  fortune  amassed  by  his  father  in  Mexico  ena 
bled  him  to  live  at  ease  with  his  beautiful  wife, 
Senora  Inez,  one  of  the  rarest  flowers  plucked  from 
that  land  of  beauty,  old  Spain.  His  home  was  a 
model  of  peace  and  happiness.  Two  sons  and  one 
daughter  blessed  his  household,  and  he  had  retired 
from  the  field  of  battle  and  adventure  covered  with 
glory,  and  settled  down  to  the  enjoyment  of  a  long, 


THE   DEPARTURE.  5 

peaceful  afternoon  of  life.  Being  a  pious  Catholic, 
he  took  more  pleasure  in  religious  services  than  in 
those  wild  scenes  of  daring  which  had  delighted 
his  youth.  His  greatest  wish  was  to  see  his  eldest 
son  become  a  priest.  Estevan  knew  of  the  allure 
ments  to  conquest  so  abundant  in  this  New  World ; 
but  he  believed  that  if  his  son  were  once  in  the 
cloister  he  would  be  safe  from  the  ambitions  and 
dangerous  enterprises  of  the  romantic  age.  Per 
haps  because  Senor  Estevan  had  disappointed  his 
mother,  who  designed  him  for  the  church,  he  was 
the  more  determined  that  his  son  should  follow 
the  holy  calling. 

The  dark-eyed,  robust  Francisco  had  been  taught 
from  early  childhood  to  look  upon  himself  as  dedi 
cated  to  the  service  of  God.  Educational  facilities 
in  the  New  "World  were  not  of  the  best,  yet  some 
pious  monks  had  established  an  academy  at  which 
a  number  of  young  men  were  instructed  in  the  sci 
ences,  theology  and  philosophy.  Francisco  was  an 
apt  scholar.  His  mind  was  clear,  strong,  and  vig 
orous;  but,  though  he  was  consecrated  to  the 
church,  he  seemed  ill-fitted  for  the  sacred  calling. 
His  flashes  of  wit,  his  love  of  athletic  sports,  his 
daring  courage  and  fondness  for  romantic  advent 
ures  made  him  more  soldier  than  priest.  Francisco, 
however,  was  loyal  to  the  wishes  of  his  parents, 
though  he  sighed  when  he  remembered  that  the 


6  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

wonders  of  those  far-off  lands,  rumors  of  which 
came  in  dreamy  whispers  to  his  ears,  were  never 
to  be  explored  by  him.  His  heart  bounded  in  wild 
delight  when  he  heard  his  father  tell  of  heroic 
struggles  with  men  and  beasts  in  strange  lands. 
The  pious  youth  checked  all  these  natural  impulses, 
and  lived  a  life  of  consecration.  His  tutors  were 
highly  elated  at  his  progress,  and  assured  the  anx 
ious  parents  that  their  son  would  be  prepared  soon 
to  don  the  sacerdotal  robes. 

Kodrigo,  Francisco's  brother,  was  nearly  five 
years  younger  than  the  intended  ecclesiastic.  He 
resembled  his  brother  in  form  and  feature,  and 
possessed  to  an  eminent  degree  the  same  daring, 
chivalrous  spirit.  He  loved  the  lance  and  the 
saddle  more  than  study,  and  his  tutor  was  the  cav 
alier  rather  than  the  priest.  Before  he  had  reached 
his  sixteenth  year,  he  had  participated  in  several 
expeditions  by  land  and  sea,  and  already  had  be 
come  conspicuous  for  his  courage,  prowess,  and  skill 
in  horsemanship.  Old  cavaliers  pronounced  him 
the  best  swordsman  in  Cuba,  and  in  friendly  com 
bat  he  had  disarmed  many  a  veteran. 

Francisco  was  to  set  out  for  Spain  to  complete 
his  ecclesiastical  education  under  the  old  masters, 
and  Rodrigo,  though  only  sixteen,  had  determined 
to  set  forth  in  search  of  conquest  and  gold.  His 
grandfather  had  participated  in  the  conquest  of 


THE   DEPARTURE.  7 

Mexico,  winning  a  fortune  there,  consequently  the 
youngest  scion  of  this  proud  old  Spanish  family  had 
chosen  Mexico  as  the  field  for  his  operations.  In 
those  days  Mexico  and  Peru  were  the  great  Eldo- 
rados,  concerning  which  the  wildest  rumors  of 
fabulous  wealth  were  afloat.  The  credulous  Cu 
bans  believed  all  they  heard,  however  extravagant. 
Beyond  the  borders  of  the  conquered  territory  there 
hung  a  veil  of  mystery  which  only  the  wildest  con 
jecture  could  penetrate.  Imagination,  for  the  time 
being,  supplanted  reason  and  peopled  those  un 
known  regions  with  strange  beings  and  marvellous 
riches  excelling  in  wonder  the  mythology  of  the 
ancients.  Rodrigo  longed  to  plunge  into  the  un 
known  realms,  and  drag  into  the  light  of  civilization 
the  hidden  wonders  of  this  mysterious  world,  and 
all  efforts  to  dissuade  him  from  this  mad  purpose 
were  unavailing. 

"Let  brother  Francisco  become  a  friar  if  such  is 
his  wish,  but  I  will  be  a  soldier,"  declared  Rodrigo. 

The  day  came  for  the  departure  of  the  sons,  one 
to  Spain  and  one  to  Mexico.  Two  vessels  which 
were  to  bear  them  away  from  their  native  island 
lay  anchored  in  the  harbor,  side  by  side.  Morning 
dawned  bright  and  clear,  and  all  nature  was  smil 
ing  with  gladness.  Havana  at  an  early  hour  pre 
sented  a  scene  of  bustle  and  confusion.  The  harbor 
was  melodious  with  the  songs  of  sailors,  while  from 


8  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

the  tropical  forest,  forming  a  semicircle  about  the 
town,  came  the  sweetest  music  of  those  famous 
feathered  warblers  of  the  south. 

In  the  home  of  Estevan  there  was  more  of  sorrow 
than  joy.  Two  beloved  sons  were  about  to  depart 
for  distant  lands,  and,  in  those  troublous  times,  pa 
rents  knew  that  many  went  and  few  returned.  It 
would  perhaps  be  the  last  time  they  would  gaze  on 
the  faces  of  their  children.  Francisco  and  Rodrigo 
were  on  the  balcony  of  the  house  when  the  sun  rose. 

"Rodrigo,"  said  Francisco,  seizing  his  brother's 
hand,  "  Many  times  have  we  stood  thus  and  watched 
the  sun  rise.  Does  it  occur  to  you  this  morning 
that  we  may  never  witness  this  glorious  scene  to 
gether  again?" 

"In  truth,  good  brother,  I  had  not  thought 
about  it  at  all." 

"Where  were  your  thoughts?" 

"  In  the  unknown  regions  I  am  to  explore,  Fran 
cisco.  Pardon  me  if  I  am  not  as  sober  and  sedate 
as  my  brother;  I  have  no  thoughts  save  for  con 
quest." 

"  Yet,  on  this  eventful  morning,  when  we  are  to 
separate,  perhaps  never  to  meet  again,  might  it  not 
be  well  for  the  cavalier  to  give  himself  up  to  sober 
thought?" 

"Where  would  be  the  use,  my  brother?  It 
would  only  make  the  heart  ache.  The  ills  which 


THE   DEPARTURE.  9 

we  are  to  suffer  will  come  full  soon  without  brood 
ing  over  prospective  calamities;  and  when  the  day 
comes,  if  come  it  must,  let  us  meet  it  bravely,  I 
with  the  resolution  of  a  soldier  and  you  with  the 
resignation  of  a  priest." 

"  I  must  admit  you  are  a  philosopher  as  well  as 
a  soldier." 

"Nay,  do  not  credit  me  with  qualities  I  do  not 
possess.  Call  me  a  soldier  with  all  a  soldier's 
qualifications — nothing  more." 

"Philosophy  is  essential  even  to  men  of  arms." 

"Then,  so  far  as  essential,  let  me  be  a  philoso 
pher;  but  I  must  confess,  my  brother,  that  the 
prospect  of  a  brilliant  career  in  Mexico  robs  our 
parting  of  its  bitterness.  I  love  my  parents, 
brother,  and  sister,  and  I  would  belie  my  feelings 
were  I  to  say  I  experience  no  regret,  yet  the 
thought  of  entering  on  a  brilliant  career  to  a  great 
extent  overbalances  this  sentiment." 

Francisco  gazed  on  the  youthful  face  of  his 
brother,  lighted  with  a  glow  of  enthusiasm,  and 
heaved  a  sigh.  Rodrigo,  young  as  he  was,  had 
reached  a  man's  stature,  and  his  gallant  figure 
made  him  an  object  of  admiration.  Francisco 
never  saw  him  in  the  tourney  on  his  fiery  charger, 
caparisoned  in  glittering  steel,  that  he  did  not  wish 
to  be  like  him. 

"Brother,"  he  said  at  last,   breaking  a  silence 


10 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 


that  was  growing  painful,  "let  us  make  a  compact, 
which,  if  we  live,  shall  be  carried  into  effect." 
"What  shall  it  be?"  asked  Eodrigo. 
"  When  we  meet  again,  let  it  be  to  part  no  more. 
We  may  be  aged  and  infirm,  you  bowed  down  with 
hardship  and  wounds,  and 
in  need  of  a  brother's  care." 
The    youthful    face    of 
Eodrigo    grew    thoughtful 
for  a  moment. 

"  It  shall  be  as  you  say, 
brother,"  he  said,  "and  as 
our  childhood  was  passed 
together,  so  shall  be  our 
old  age.  I  regret  even 
this  short  separation,  and 
wish  I  could  go  with  you, 
not  as  a  priest,  but  as  a  sol 
dier  in  the  holy  war  against 
the  Protestants,  who  are 
striving  to  overturn  the 
power  of  the  Pope." 
A  cloud  came  over  Francisco's  brow,  and  for  a 
moment  his  dark  eye  flashed  with  religious  zeal. 

"Deluded  people,  led  by  such  unholy  men  as 
Luther  and  Melancthon,"  he  murmured,  "but  the 
Inquisition  has  been  re-established  and  will  root 
out  the  heretics  from  Spain.  The  war  will  be  car- 


RODBIGO    ESTEVAN. 


THE   DEPARTURE.  11 

ried  even  into  France,  England,  and  Germany,  if 
need  be,  until  the  Roman  Catholic  faith  is  again 
supreme  in  the  world.  The  trust  confided  by  Saint 
Peter  by  regular  succession  to  our  holy  father  will 
not  be  wrested  from  him." 

"I  am  willing  to  draw  my  sword  against  the 
Protestant  as  did  our  ancestors  against  Saracens." 

"  That  day  may  come.  Yet  Protestants  are  min 
gled  with  Catholics  as  tares  grow  in  the  wheat,  and 
the  winnowing  will  require  care.  Heresy  is  sown 
by  the  devil  while  we  sleep.  It  takes  root  in  some 
families,  and  ere  we  know  it  a  son,  a  daughter,  a 
brother,  or  a  sister,  has  become  imbued  with  these 
dangerous  ideas,  and  we  must  then  give  them  over 
to  their  fate.  Yet  I  do  not  believe  it  right  to  burn 
them  at  the  stake,  or  to  slay  them,  as  is  done  in 
Spain,  France,  and  England." 

"What  would  you  do?  The  tares  must  be 
uprooted." 

"No,  that  would  destroy  the  wheat.  Let  all 
grow  together  until  the  harvest,  when  the  Master 
shall  winnow  the  wheat  and  cast  the  tares  in  the 
fire  to  be  burned." 

An  end  was  put  to  the  discussion  by  the  father 
calling  to  them  to  come  down.  Owing  to  an  old 
wound,  Senor  Estevan  was  compelled  to  walk  with 
a  staff.  The  mother  and  the  young  sister,  a  beau 
tiful  child  of  the  tropics,  with  the  father  were  at 


12  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

the  breakfast  table,  awaiting  the  young  men.  The 
morning  meal  was  eaten  in  silence;  then  the  young 
men  were  embraced  by  their  parents,  and  the 
mother,  with  moist  eyes  and  faltering  voice,  pro 
ceeded  to  give  her  parting  injunctions  to  them. 

"Eodrigo,  you  go  to  a  life  of  conquest  and  dan 
ger.  Be  not  rash  or  cruel.  Ever  let  mercy  and 
caution  prompt  you,  and  amid  scenes  of  greatest 
danger  remember  your  mother.  Think  how  lonely 
she  will  be  here  without  a  son  as  the  prop  and  stay 
of  her  declining  years.  When  you  have  satiated 
your  ambition  for  conquest  as  your  father  did,  re 
turn  to  live  a  life  of  ease  and  quiet,  the  joy  and 
comfort  of  your  parents  for  the  remainder  of  their 
lives."  Turning  to  her  eldest  son,  she  said:  "O 
Francisco,  you  are  the  delight  and  joy  of  your 
mother.  Be  loyal  to  the  church,  and  when  you 
have  taken  the  monastic  vows  and  donned  the 
sacerdotal  robes  of  the  priesthood,  remember  that 
your  mother  willingly  gave  you  to  the  service  of 
God.  Be  a  loyal  priest,  and  seek  to  serve  your 
Master  by  penance  and  prayer.  Let  your  future 
be  devoted  to  your  sacred  calling.  Bind  up  the 
broken  heart,  carry  the  Gospel  into  the  wilderness 
among  the  heathen,  and  thus  aid  in  bringing  all 
the  world  to  the  true  religion." 

The  father's  parting  injunctions  to  his  sons  were 
similar  to  the  mother's.  He  urged  on  his  younger 


THE   DEPARTURE.  13 

a  course  of  manliness  as  well  as  courage,  advised 
him  never  to  be  wantonly  cruel  or  foolishly  brave, 
and  pointed  out  Pizarro  as  an  example  of  a  petty 
tyrant.  The  bravest  were  usually  most  gentle  and 
kind. 

Then  came  the  sister,  only  a  child  in  years,  too 
young  to  give  advice.  She  brought  them  only  a 
small  token — two  locks  of  golden  hair  clipped  from 
her  own  fair  head,  to  be  worn  near  their  hearts 
as  mementos  of  one  who  loved  them.  The  little 
girl  was  named  Christoval  after  a  dear  foster-sister 
of  her  father.  She  was  unlike  her  brothers,  quite 
fair,  with  blue  eyes,  which  on  this  occasion  were 
owerflowing  with  tears.  She  was  too  young  to 
entirely  control  herself  at  the  parting,  and  though 
no  sobs  escaped  her  lips,  those  silent  tears,  trickling 
down  her  pretty  cheeks,  were  stronger  evidences 
of  real  grief  than  sobs  or  groans. 

The  vessels  were  to  sail  at  an  early  hour,  and  the 
little  party  wended  their  way  to  the  beach.  Rod- 
rigo's  horse,  arms,  armor,  and  baggage  had  already 
been  taken  aboard  the  vessel,  and  Francisco  had 
made  similar  preparations.  He  walked  to  the 
beach  between  his  mother  and  sister,  holding  a 
hand  of  each,  but,  though  he  assumed  a  cheerful 
manner,  his  heart  was  very  heavy.  A  whirlwind 
of  thought  swept  through  his  mind  at  this  moment. 
His  desire  to  be  a  soldier  and  overturn  kingdoms 


14  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

as  his  father  had  done  and  brother  was  to  do,  was 
strong;  but  to  reap  the  golden  harvest  of  conquest 
was  denied  him;  long  before  he  had  arrived  at  the 
age  of  accountability,  his  course  in  life  had  been 
marked  out. 

At  the  beach  the  brothers  embraced  parents  and 
sister;  then,  embracing  each  other,  they  entered 
separate  boats,  and  were  rowed  to  their  respective 
ships.  Sittmg  in  the  stern  of  his  boat,  Francisco, 
through  his  tear-dimmed  eyes,  alternately  glanced 
at  the  little  group  on  shore  and  the  other  boat 
bearing  away  his  brother.'  His  manhood  was 
shaken  to  its  centre,  and  he  could  scarce  restrain  a 
flood  of  tears.  He  reached  the  ship  bound  for 
Spain  and  went  aboard.  There  came  the  usual 
noise  of  hoisting  anchor  and  getting  under  way. 
The  creaking  of  cordage,  the  cries  of  officers,  and 
the  confused  noises  which  may  be  heard  on  any 
sailing  vessel  floated  over  the  harbor  to  the  little 
party  on  shore. 

During  the  entire  preparation,  Francisco  stood 
on  the  deck  gazing  one  moment  at  the  shore  and 
next  at  his  brother's  ship.  Both  anchors  were 
hoisted  at  nearly  the  same  time,  and,  as  Francisco 
waved  his  cap  at  the  ship  of  his  brother,  the  stun 
ning  reports  of  two  lombards  shook  the  sea  and 
told  that  the  vessels  were  under  way.  A  moment 
later  the  shores  echoed  and  re-echoed  with  the 


THE   DEPARTURE. 


salute  fired  from  the  castle  and  fort.      The  breeze 
was  strong  and  the  ships  bore  away  rapidly,  leav- 


THE  REPORT  OF  Two 
LOMBARDS  SHOOK 
THE  SEA. 


ing  the  native  island 
farther  and  farther  in  the  distance,  until 
Cuba  was  but  a  dim  speck  in  the  hori 
zon.  Then  Francisco  turned  his  gaze 
to  the  vessel  which  was  bearing  his 
brother  away.  Farther  and  farther  the 


16  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

ships  drifted  apart,  until  Francisco  could  only  see 
a  snowy  speck  on  the  horizon,  which  at  last  disap 
peared  altogether.  Long  after  the  sail  had  faded 
from  view,  the  student  stood  gazing  in  the  direc 
tion  of  it. 

"  My  brother  goes  to  war  and  I  to  peace. " 
Had  he  been  able  to  read  the  future,  he  would 
have  seen  that  no  peace  or  cloister  was  in  store  for 
him,  but  a  wild  whirlpool  of  excitement.  No  sac 
erdotal  robe  was  ever  to  "grace  his  form.  In  the 
name  of  religion  he  was  to  witness  such  scenes  of 
blood  and  crime  as  almost  to  disgust  him  with  the 
holy  order,  and  he  was  to  be  more  of  a  soldier  than 
a  priest.  But  let  us  await  the  fulness  of  time  and 
not  anticipate  events. 


CHAPTER   II. 

COLIG-Nl'S    PET    SCHEME    FOR    THE    PERSECUTED. 

THE  world  had  reached  that  age  of  earnest  the 
ological  discussion  and  antagonism  in  Europe, 
known  as  the  "Era  of  the  Eeformation. "  Martin 
Luther  and  Philip  Melancthon,  in  Germany,  led  a 
revolt  against  the  Italian  hierarchy,  as  rulers  in 
the  Christian  Church,  whose  head  was  the  Pope  of 
Rome.  A  similar  revolt,  headed  by  Zuingliss, 
had  broken  out  in  Switzerland,  and  the  Pope  trem 
bled  lest  his  universal  power  should  be  swept 
away  from  him.  Historians  designate  the  time  a? 
a  moment  of  intellectual  liberty — the  perfect  equal 
ity  of  a}l  men  in  Church  and  State,  in  the  exercise 
of  the  inalienable  rights  of  private  judgment  in 
matters  of  politics  and  religion.  It  was  at  the  Diet 
or  Congress  held  at  Spires  in  1529  that  Luther  and 
several  princes  in  sympathy  with  him  entered  their 
solemn  protest,  which  to  this  day  has  characterized 
their  followers  of  all  denominations  and  creeds  as 
Protestants.  They  found  the  mother  church  so 
strong,  that  they  were  compelled  to  form  a  league 
2  17 


18  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

against  it,  and  so  first  organized  the  Reformation  as 
an  aggressive  moral  power  leading  to  theological 
and  political  combinations,  which,  twenty-five 
years  later,  freed  the  Germans  from  the  domina 
tion  of  the  Italian  church. 

But  the  Romish  church  was  not  disposed  to  yield 
its  supremacy  in  the  Christian  world  without  a  des 
perate  struggle,  and  it  put  forth  all  its  energies  for 
the  maintenance  of  its  power.  It  had  mighty 
agencies  in  its  traditions,  its  vantage-ground  of 
possession,  the  Order  of  Jesuits  which  it  had  just 
created,  and  the  Inquisition  which  it  had  re-estab 
lished  with  new  powers.  Its  warfare  was  keen  and 
terrible,  and  its  victories  were  many;  but,  despite 
all  that  power  and  persecution  could  do,  the  Refor 
mation  gained  ground  in  certain  parts  of  Europe. 
In  the  heat  of  that  conflict  was  evolved  the  repre 
sentative  government,  the  free  institutions,  and  the 
liberty,  equality,  and  fraternity  which  are  the  birth 
right  of  every  American  citizen  to-day  without  re 
gard  to  creed. 

In  no  part  of  the  civilized  world  did  the  Refor 
mation  meet  with  more  determined  enemies  in  court 
and  church  than  in  France.  John  Calvin,  the  chief 
reformer  in  that  country,  was  banished,  and,  taking 
refuge  in  Switzerland,  died  in  the  year  1564.  But 
Calvin  had  sowed  the  seeds  of  Protestantism  in 
France,  and  those  seeds  bore  fruit  in  such  daring 


COLIGNPS   PET  SCHEME.  19 

persons  as  Admiral  Coligni,  the  favorite  of  Catha 
rine  de  Medici  while  she  was  acting  as  regent  for 
her  son  the  infant  king.  Thus  the  most  conspicu 
ous  leader  of  the  Huguenots,  as  the  French  Protes 
tants  were  called,  found  means  of  reaching  the 
royal  ear.  All  parties  admired  Coligni  for  his 
gallant  services  to  his  country.  He  persuaded 
Catharine  to  attempt  to  reconcile  by  a  conference 
the  contending  religious  factions;  but  the  peace 
conference  failed  and  war  ensued.  The  Duke  of 
Guise,  a  lineal  descendant  of  Charlemagne,  and 
claimant  of  the  French  throne,  a  man  whom  Cath 
arine  both  feared  and  hated,  led  the  Roman  Catho 
lics,  while  the  Prince  of  Conde  headed  the  Protest 
ants.  The  latter,  being  much  in  the  minority, 
suffered  greatly  in  the  contest.  Perhaps  never, 
even  in  savage  warfare,  was  cruelty  carried  further 
than  in  this  conflict  between  religious  factions. 

At  this  time  there  lived  in  Dieppe  a  prominent 
and  once  wealthy  sea-captain  named  De  Barre. 
For  important  services  rendered  the  king  certain 
rights  and  privileges  were  granted  him.  He  was 
a  lover  of  civil  and  religious  liberties,  and  when 
the  Reformation  began  to  shake  the  world  with  its 
thunder,  De  Barre,  a  cousin  of  Coligni,  under  whom 
he  had  served  in  the  royal  navy,  espoused  the  cause 
of  Protestantism.  The  sea-captain's  family  con 
sisted  of  himself,  wife,  and  two  children,  a  son 


20  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

aged  eighteen  and,  like  his  father,  a  sailor,  and  a 
daughter  Hortense  who  had  just  reached  her  fif 
teenth  year.  Hortense  De  Barre,  though  still  a 
child,  showed  such  promises  of  beautiful  woman 
hood  that  she  had  admirers  even  among  the  nobil 
ity.  One  of  her  most  ardent  suitors  was  a  young 
Frenchman  of  means  but  of  doubtful  morals,  named 
John  Gyrot. 

Gyrot  was  troubled  with  no  serious  religious 
convictions.  His  views  were  flexible  and  could 
be  adjusted  to  suit  either  Huguenot  or  Papist. 
He  early  evinced  an  admiration,  which  grew  into  a 
consuming  passion,  for  the  beautiful  Hortense; 
but  when  he  one  day  mentioned  the  matter  to  her, 
the  child,  who  had  never  yet  entertained  a  thought 
of  marriage,  fled  in  terror  from  the  bold,  ardent 
young  man.  Gyrot  possessed  determination  to  a 
remarkable  degree,  in  fact  it  was  about  his  only 
virtue,  and  he  resolved  to  possess  this  lily  of 
France,  whose  large  blue  eyes  and  golden  hair  had 
enslaved  him. 

In  one  of  those  terrible  religious  riots  the  home  of 
the  De  Barres  was  destroyed,  the  father  and  son  were 
killed,  and  the  mother  died  from  fright  and  grief 
the  same  day.  Thus  like  an  avalanche  came  down 
upon  the  innocent  young  head  all  the  thunderbolts 
of  hate  and  fanaticism.  Hortense,  left  alone  in 
the  world  with  no  relative  save  her  father's  cousin, 


COLIGNI'S   PET  SCHEME.  21 

who  was  in  Paris  at  the  time,  took  temporary  ref 
uge  among  some  kind  people  who  agreed  to  shelter 
her  for  a  while,  and  as  soon  as  practicable  send  her 
out  of  the  country,  for  the  bold  utterances  of  the 
father  had  so  incensed  the  Catholics  that  his  inno 
cent  child  was  threatened  with  the  stake. 

While  still  at  the  house  of  her  friends,  her 
cousin,  Coligni,  hearing  of  her  great  bereavement 
and  wretched  condition,  came  to  see  her.  Poor 
Hortense,  quite  heart-broken,  was  overcome  at  sight 
of  her  only  relative  on  earth  and  fell  sobbing  in 
his  arms.  As  he  held  the  child  close  to  his  own 
kind  heart,  and  tried  to  soothe  her  grief  and  fears, 
the  good  man  gazed  into  the  pure  innocent  face 
pityingly. 

"All  this  is  done  in  the  service  of  God?"  he 
murmured.  "  Rather  say  in  the  service  of  the 
devil,  for  God  abhors  such  misery."  Appealing 
once  more  to  the  child  he  said,  "  Cheer  up,  sweet 
cousin,  you  shall  suffer  no  further  harm." 

"Yes,  yes!  they  will  put  me  to  death,  they  will 
burn  me  at  the  stake  for  heresy." 

"They  shall  not,"  he  answered. 

"What  is  heresy?"  she  asked  innocently. 

"  So  they  would  destroy  one  so  young  and  inno 
cent  that  she  does  not  understand  the  meaning  of 
the  offence  of  which  she  is  charged.  This  is  infa 
mous.  "  Addressing  the  child  he  answered,  "  Never 


22  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

mind  now,  little  one,  you  will  know  the  definition 
of  the  word  when  you  are  older.  I  will  send  you 
for  the  present  to  Beaucarre,  a  village  on  the  Med 
iterranean,  until  we  can  transport  all  the  persecuted 
to  that  new  world  discovered  by  Verazzani  and 
Cartier." 

Hortense  dried  her  tears  and  tried  to  smile. 

"I  want  to  go  to  the  new  country  where  I  shall 
be  free  from  persecution,"  she  said. 

"You  shall,  little  cousin,  you  shall." 

"When?" 

"  I  must  first  see  the  king  and   obtain  a  grant 
for   a  colony  of   the  persecuted.       All    this  will 
take  time;  meanwhile  you  will  be  safe    at  Beau 
carre." 
."Can  I  go  in  the  first  ship?" 

"No,  you  must  wait  until  explorers  and  pioneers 
are  sent  to  select  a  location  and  build  houses." 

A  look  of  disappointment  came  over  the  pretty 
face  and  a  sigh  escaped  her  lips.  Coligni  noted 
her  anxiety  to  leave  France. 

"Don't  despair,  child,"  he  added,  "you  shall 
suffer  no  more  persecution.  At  Beaucarre  you 
are  in  a  quiet,  out-of-the-way  part  of  the  world, 
free  from  the  great  turmoil  and  strife  which  upsets 
civilization  to-day  and  make  savages  of  men." 

Addressing  a  few  more  words  of  consolation  to 
her,  the  great  admiral,  strangely  impressed  at  her 


COLIGNI'S    PET  SCHEME.  23 

sad  fate,  left  the  child.  In  the  corridor,  Coligni 
inei  a  person  not  calculated  to  inspire  the  beholder 
with  confidence.  He  was  attired  in  dark  velvet 
doublette,  black  trunk  hose  to  his  thigh,  and  long, 
dark  stockings.  He  wore  a  sable  cloak  on  his 
shoulders,  a  crimson  cap  on  his  head,  and  the  sword 
at  his  side  seemed  to  indicate  that  he  made  some 
pretensions  to  being  a  gentleman.  Though  a 
young  man  scarce  twenty,  his  face,  pale  and  ca 
daverous,  had  the  appearance  of  age.  A  quantity 
of  black  hair  descended  low  over  his  eyebrows, 
while  the  small,  black,  piercing  eyes  and  lines  of 
the  face  denoted  shrewdness.  The  glance  of  this 
individual  was  keen,  but  evinced  cunning  rather 
than  intelligence.  His  lips  were  straight,  but  so 
thin  that,  as  they  closed,  they  were  compressed 
within  Tiis  mouth.  His  cheek-bones  were  broad 
and  projecting,  a  never-failing  proof  of  audacity 
and  craftiness,  while  the  flatness  of  his  forehead 
and  the  enlargement  of  the  back  of  the  skull,  which 
rose  much  higher  than  the  vulgarly  shaped  ears, 
combined  to  form  a  physiognomy  anything  but 
prepossessing. 

Coligni  paused  a  moment  and  glanced  at  the 
young  man  as  he  sauntered  toward  him. 

"That  fellow  has  a  bad  countenance,"  he  de 
clared  mentally.  "Why  is  it  that  all  do  not 
retreat  with  aversion  at  sight  of  that  flat,  receding, 


24  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

serpent-like  forehead,  round  ekull  and  sharp 
hooked  nose  like  the  beak  of  a  vulture?" 

This  personage  seemed  watching  the  admiral 
with  a  shrewd,  cunning  gaze  as  though  he  mis 
trusted  the  object  of  his  visit.  Onoe  the  admiral 
laid  his  hand  on  his  sword  as  if  to  punish  his  inso 
lence;  but,  perceiving  his  youth,  he  concluded 
that  no  harm  could  come  from  him.  As  Coligni 
retired,  a  diabolical  grin  illuminated  the  face  and 
increased  its  ugliness.  Had  the  admiral  noted  the 
change  he  would  have  paused  to  inquire  more 
about  the  young  man  he  had  met  in  the  corridor. 

Scarcely  was  Coligni  out  of  sight,  when  this  per 
sonage  entered  the  chamber  of  Hortense  De  Barre 
without  even  the  formality  of  knocking.  The 
girl's  face  became  troubled  at  sight  of  him. 

"Why  do  you  come  here,  John  Gyrot?"  she 
asked. 

"I  want  to  ask  the  mademoiselle  some  ques 
tions,"  Gyrot  answered. 

"Ask  them,  and  be  gone  at  once." 

"Who  was  the  stranger  who  has  just  left?" 

"Coligni." 

"The  admiral?" 

"Yes." 

"I  heard  him  say  he  was  going  to  send  the 
mademoiselle  to  Beaucarre,  and,  as  the  mademoi 
selle  has  refused  the  hospitality  I  offered  her,  I, 


COLIONI'S   PET   SCHEME.  25 

too,  will  go  to  Beaucarre  to  keep  guard  over  her 
in  these  trying  times." 

Hortense  started  and  became  deathly  pale.  There 
was  something  cunning  and  significant  in  G'yrot's 
manner,  and  she  trembled,  though  unable  to  tell 
why.  Gyrot  had  not,  to  her  knowledge,  taken 
any  part  in  the  outbreak  against  the  Huguenots. 
On  the  contrary  he  pretended  to  be  in  sympathy 
with  the  Protestants;  but  there  was  something  so 
hypocritical  in  these  pretences  that  she  lacked  con 
fidence  in  him.  She  wanted  to  tell  him  that  his 
services  were  not  needed;  but  she  was  so  young 
and  shy  that  she  could  make  no  answer,  and  hung 
her  head  in  silence,  while  Gyrot  in  his  disagreeable 
tone  continued: 

"I  am  quite  a  man  now.  The  mademoiselle 
needs  a  protector,  and  where  can  she  find  a  better 
one  than  Monsieur  Gyrot?" 

At  this  point  she  plucked  up  sufficient  courage 
to  assure  him  that  her  relative  had  made  all  need 
ful  arrangements  for  her  safety  and  comfort;  but 
he  was  persistent  in  his  determination  to  be  her 
guardian  and  protector,  and  she  was  glad  when  he 
went  away.  She  had  known  Gyrot  from  early 
childhood,  and,  while  he  had  ever  pretended  to  be  a 
devoted  friend  of  the  family,  she  instinctively  felt 
an  aversion  for  him. 

Meanwhile,    Coligni,    whose    great    heart    was 


26  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

touched  at  the  forlorn  condition  of  the  child,  as 
well  as  the  desperate  situation  of  all  the  Hugue 
nots,  resolved  to  secure  an  asylum  for  them  in  the 
milder  regions  of  North  America,  where,  far  re 
moved  from  civilized  men,  they  might  enjoy  that 
perfect  religious  and  civil  freedom  for  which  they 
sighed. 

Soon  after  the  touching  interview  with  his  un 
fortunate  little  cousin,  he  sought  an  audience  with 
Catharine  de  Medici,  which  was  readily  granted. 
That  proud  and  unprincipled  woman,  then  little 
more  than  forty  years  of  age,  stout  and  fair,  was 
wielding  with  a  prodigal  hand  the  power  she  as 
sumed  through  her  infant  son. 

Coligni  was  not  without  his  misgivings,  for, 
while  the  king's  mother  was  his  friend,  he  knew 
she  was  selfish  and  fickle  and  liable  at  the  last 
moment  to  refuse  the  dearest  wish  of  his  heart,  a 
place  of  refuge  for  the  persecuted. 

He  had  consulted  with  John  Ribault,  an  experi 
enced  mariner,  who  was  willing  to  undertake  the 
hazardous  task  of  planting  a  French  colony  on  the 
new-found  coast,  and  he  needed  only  a  charter  and 
means  to  send  the  Huguenots  to  America. 

Coligni  was  tall,  elegant  in  figure  and  deport 
ment,  grave  in  aspect,  with  flowing  hair  and  beard 
slightly  streaked  with  gray,  for  he  was  about  forty- 
five  years  of  age.  On  his  visit  to  Catharine  he 


COLIGNFS   PET  SCHEME.  27 

•was  dressed  in  the  uniform  of  his  rank,  wearing  on 
his  head  a  rich  green  velvet  cap  bearing  an  ostrich 
plume.  His  doublette  of  crimson  velvet  with  skirt 
was  sprinkled  with  golden  lilies  and  encircled  with 
a  belt  from  which  depended  a  straight  sword.  The 
sleeves  terminated  at  the  elbows;  the  remainder  of 
his  arms  to  the  wrists  were  covered  with  embroi 
dered  linen.  His  trunk  hose  of  velvet  extended 
to  the  middle  of  his  thighs,  and  was  slashed  and 
elegantly  embroidered  with  gold  thread.  Up  to 
this,  tight  fitting  stockings  wrought  of  fine  white 
wool  extended,  and  on  his  feet  were  buskins  of 
polished  russet  leather,  sparkling  with  diamond 
buttons  that  were  fastened  with  silk  rosettes  to  the 
insteps.  From  his  shoulders  hung  an  open,  short 
Spanish  cloak  of  blue  velvet,  and  around  his  neck 
a  modest  ruff.  A  massive  gold  chain  bearing  the 
order  of  St.  Louis  was  seen  upon  his  breast.  Such 
was  the  appearance  of  this  great  and  good  man  as 
he  asked  an  audience  with  the  Eegent  of  France, 
late  i-n  the  year  1561,  to  confer  with  her  upon  the 
subject  of  discoveries  and  the  planting  of  a  colony 
in  America. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait.  The  court  dignitary 
to  whom  he  applied  soon  returned  with  the  informa 
tion  that  the  admiral  could  be  admitted  to  the  pres 
ence  of  her  majesty  at  once.  With  his  cap  in  his 
hand,  perfectly  self-possessed,  he  entered  the  royal 


28  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

presence.  He  was  only  to  meet  a  woman  and  a  boy, 
a  mere  child.  The  woman  he  knew  was  unprin 
cipled,  yet,  for  the  present,  she  was  friendly  to 
the  Protestant  cause,  more  because  she  hated  the 
Duke  of  Guise  than  from  any  serious  religious 
convictions. 

Coligni  found  her  seated  on  a  rich  divan  covered 
with  blue  damask  satin.  On  her  head  was  a  coro 
net,  sparkling  with  a  single  large  diamond. 
Around  her  plump  neck  glittered  a  circlet  of  gold 
and  pearls,  emeralds  and  rubies.  She  wore  a  skirt 
of  gold-embroidered  white  silk,  and  over  this  a 
rich  robe  of  royal  purple  velvet,  trimmed  with  a 
narrow  band  of  ermine  at  the  front  and  bottom,  and 
with  close-fitting  bodice,  linen  and  lace,  with  bril 
liant  gems  at  the  wrists.  A  gold  chain,  fastened  at 
her  bosom  with  a  diamond  brooch,  extended  to  her 
feet  and  terminated  with  a  golden  cross  studded 
with  seed  pearls.  Near  her,  playing  with  a  fawn- 
colored  Italian  greyhound,  was  her  royal  son,  who 
had  lately  been  crowned  as  CHARLES  IX.,  king  of 
France.  The  young  king's  hair  hung  in  ringlets 
about  his  shoulders,  for  he  was  only  a  boy  ten  or 
twelve  years  of  age,  thinking  more  of  his  dog  than 
of  his  kingdom.  His  fair  complexion  was  height 
ened  by  his  rich  suit  of  royal  purple  velvet,  with 
slashed  sleeves,  revealing  white  linen  beneath. 
Only  a  single  minister  of  state  was  present}  and  he 


COLIONI'S   PET  SCHEME.  39 

and  a  young  woman,  a  court  favorite  and  cousin 
of  the  king  of  Navarre,  were  the  only  companions 
of  royalty  when  Admiral  Coligni  entered  the  room. 

The  admiral  bowed  his  knee  and  kissed  the  hand 
which  Catharine  gave  him,  performing  a  like  cere 
mony  to  his  sovereign  who  fondled  his  dog. 

"Rise,  admiral,  and  state  your  business,"  said 
the  regent. 

Coligni  proceeded  in  a  grave,  earnest  manner  to 
inform  her  of  the  persecution  of  the  Huguenots. 
She  listened,  though  evincing  no  emotion  at  the 
the  terrible  recital,  while  the  king,  wholly 
engrossed  with  his  greyhound,  heard  but  little  that 
the  admiral  said. 

When  Coligni  began  to  particularize  and  re 
lated  in  detail  the  sad  story  of  Hortense  De 
Barre,  the  young  lady  left  her  seat  in  the  window, 
and  the  minister  of  state,  who  had  been  urged  to 
remain,  listened  with  most  rapt  attention.  The  mob 
in  all  its  terrible  fury  was  depicted,  the  death  of 
father,  brother  and  mother  related  as  only  the  elo 
quent  Coligni,  in  the  fervor  of  his  enthusiasm,  could 
tell  it. 

When  he  had  finished,  the  king's  mother 
asked : 

"What  do  you  propose,  admiral,  to  alleviate 
the  suffering  of  these  poor  people?" 

"I  am  just  approaching  the  plan,  your  majesty, 


30 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 


which  will  not  only  furnish  an  asylum  for  the  per 
secuted  Huguenots,  but  will  redound  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  France.  In  America,  Verazzani, 
under  the  flag  of  France,  made  some  wonderful 
discoveries,  and  took  possession  of  the  country 
under  the  name  of  New  France.  These,  with  the 
discoveries  and  conquests  of  Cartier,  gave  us  valu 
able  possessions  in  that  land." 

At  this  point  the  king's  mother  interposed: 

"But   Cartier's    report 
of  his  second  voyage  was 

by  no  means   clieerinS- 
Therig°rs  of  the  climate 

.  .  i  .  i  i 

in  winter,  the  ice-bound 
condition  of  the  streams 
for  several  months  in  the 
year,  and  the  utter  bar 
renness  of  the  land  in  pre 
cious  stones  and  minerals 
were  discouraging." 
"Quite  true,  your  gracious  majesty;  but  subse 
quent  voyages  have  proved  that  south  of  where 
Cartier  explored  there  is  a  more  favorable  climate 
and  soil.  Donnacona,  the  Indian  chief  whom  Cartier 
brought  captive  to  France,  told  of  the  large  number 
of  fur-bearing  animals  in  the  woods  and  waters,  of 
which  Cartier  could  know  nothing.  These  animals, 
with  the  salmon  fisheries  and  pine  forests,  make 


KING  CHABLES  IX. 


COLIGNPS   PET  SCHEME.  31 

even  that  apparently  undesirable  locality  a  valu 
able  acquisition  to  France." 

The  princess  regent  nodded  her  head  until  the 
diamond  in  her  coronet  sparkled  like  a  twinkling 
star,  and  the  boy  king,  looking  up  from  his  dog, 
said: 

"Give  the  admiral  all  the  territory  he  wants; 
surely  we  have  a  plenty  for  all." 

Next  moment  he  fell  to  fondling  his  dog  again 
and  seemed  to  have  forgotten  the  order  he  had 
issued  to  his  mother.  Nor  was  his  command 
heeded.  Catharine  thought  for  her  son,  and  seldom 
allowed  the  king,  even  in  more  mature  years,  the 
power  of  exercising  his  own  will. 

Coligni  was  a  good  judge  of  human  nature.  He 
read  the  king's  mother  like  an  open  page,  and  for 
various  reasons  knew  that  she  would  ultimately 
consent  to  his  plan;  but  he  allowed  no  stone  to  go 
unturned,  and  proceeded  with  his  argument  which 
the  king  had  interrupted. 

"  It  is  not  in  the  cold  north  that  I  design  to  plant 
your  colony,  but  the  milder  climate  of  that  region 
known  as  Florida.  Unexplored,  possessing  untold 
riches,  and  of  a  climate  mild  as  Italy's,  it  is  the  land 
which  France  should  claim,  and  it  will  redound  to 
the  glory  of  your  son's  reign  if  you  acquire  it." 

"Do  not  the  Spaniards,  the  original  explorers, 
claim  the  land?" 


32  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"  They  have  forfeited  their  right  by  abandoning 
it,"  the  admiral  answered.  "Ponce  de  Leon, 
Hernando  de  Soto,  and  others  who  have  invaded  this 
land,  so  rich  in  natural  resources,  abandoned  it, 
and  since  then  the  whole  coast  has  been  seized  in 
the  name  of  the  king  of  France,  and  it  is  ours." 

The  princess  regent  was  not  hard  to  persuade  into 
compliance  with  his  wishes.  She  granted  all  that 
Coligni  desired,  in  the  name  of  the  little  king, 
then  playing  with  the  greyhound,  and  the  child's 
signature,  hardly  legible,  was  afterward  placed  to 
the  charter  given  the  admiral,  by  which  he  was 
authorized  to  send  an  expedition  to  Florida  to  estab 
lish  a  colony  in  the  name  of  France. 

Coligni  lost  no  time  in  making  use  of  his  privi 
lege.  He  hastened  to  Dieppe,  where  he  found  John 
Bibault  and  an  English  youth,  Walter  Raleigh, 
who  was  interested  in  the  cause  of  the  Huguenots, 
awaiting  his  return. 

"Have  you  succeeded?"  asked  Ribault. 

"I  have  the  charter.  Now,  captain,  proceed  at 
once  to  organize  your  crews  and  colony.  What 
you  do  is  done  in  the  name  of  God  and  humanity." 

Ribault,  like  Coligni,  was  a  zealous  Huguenot, 
and  was  fired  with  enthusiasm  at  the  thought  of 
planting  a  colony  in  the  New  World.  Coligni  was 
the  main  support  of  the  enterprise.  It  was  not  dim- 
cult  to  get  colonists,  for  those  who  had  suffered  from 


COLIGNI'S   PET  SCHEME.  33 

persecution  were  only  too  anxious  to  find  an  asylum 
in  the  New  World.  Only  men  were  taken  in  the 
first  expedition,  as  it  was  a  pioneer  exploring 
party.  Ribaultwasa  native  of  Dieppe,  and  an  ex 
perienced  sailor,  so  that  he  inspired  great  confidence 
in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  who  were  eager  to 
volunteer  under  so  valiant  a  leader.  Two  vessels 
of  the  character  of  Spanish  caravels  were  fitted  out, 
and  on  the  18th  of  February,  1562,  Ribault  sailed 
from  Dieppe  with  two  crews,  consisting  of  excel 
lent  sailors,  and  a  strong  body  of  land  forces,  among 
whom  were  several  gentlemen  volunteers. 

The  first  land  discovered  was  low  and  woody, 
and  he  gave  it  the  name  of  Cape  Frangais.  Turn 
ing  to  the  right,  he  discovered  the  river  Dauphin, 
without  entering  it;  then  sailed  to  the  river  May, 
so  called  from  his  entering  it  on  the  first  day  of 
that  month.  Here  he  was  welcomed  by  a  great 
number  of  the  natives,  and  he  erected  a  stone  col 
umn  on  which  the  arms  of  France  were  engraved. 
This  ceremony  being  performed,  he  visited  the 
cacique  of  the  savages  and  made  him  some  presents. 
He  afterward  steered  for  the  river  Jourdaiu  which 
had  been  discovered  by  Vasquez,  and,  keeping  in 
sight  of  land,  sailed  along  the  coast  of  what  is  now 
known  as  the  Carolinas.  Arriving  at  the  river  of 
St.  Croix,  he  built,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  delight 
ful  country,  Fort  Charles,  in  honor  of  the  king. 
3 


34  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

The  neighboring  rivers  abounded  in  fish,  the  forest 
was  filled  with  game,  and  the  savages  seemed  so 
extremely  friendly  that  the  colonists  thought  they 
had  entered  the  promised  land.  Having  planted 
the  germ  of  the  future  colony,  Bibault  returned  to 
France,  hoping  soon  to  remove  the  women  and 
children  of  the  persecuted  Huguenots  to  this  place 
of  refuge. 

The  foregoing  may  seem  to  be  a  digression; 
but  if  the  reader  will  bear  with  us,  it  will  be  found 
to  be  an  essential  explanation  to  our  story  before 
it  is  finished. 

Scarcely  had  John  Ribault  sailed  from  Dieppe, 
when  Coligni  took  his  cousin's  child,  Hortense 
De  Barre,  to  the  village  of  Beaucarre  on  the 
Mediterranean. 

They  arrived  at  the  village,  and  she  was  installed 
with  the  family  of  Monsieur  Beaumonte,  half 
aubergiste  and  half  fisherman.  Beaucarre  was 
never  a  thriving  village,  and  to-day  only  a  few  ruins 
mark  the  spot  where  it  once  stood.  Its  very  isola 
tion  made  it  an  acceptable  place  of  refuge  for  the 
persecuted  girl. 

It  was  late  when  she  reached  Beaucane,  and 
Hortense  retired  without  inspecting  her  new  home ; 
but  at  early  morn,  childlike,  she  arose  and  set  out 
to  see  what  it  was  like.  The  house  was  a  sort  of 
an  old  inn  of  the  time,  standing  beyond  the  ham- 


COLIGNI'S   PET  SCHEME.  35 

let,  and  from  the  front  hung  a  sign.  The  place 
boasted  a  garden,  consisting  of  a  small  plot  of 
ground,  a  full  view  of  which  could  be  obtained 
from  the  door,  immediately  opposite  the  ground 
portal  by  which  travellers  were  ushered  in  to  partake 
of  the  hospitality  of  the  public  house.  This 
plaisanee,  or  garden,  scorched  beneath  the  ardent 
sun  of  an  almost  tropical  latitude,  permitted  nothing 
to  thrive  and  scarcely  anything  to  live  in  its  arid 
soil.  A  few  dingy  olives  and  stunted  fig-trees 
struggled  hard  for  existence,  but  their  withered, 
dusty  foliage  proved  how  unequal  was  the  conflict. 
Between  these  sickly  shrubs  grew  a  scant  supply 
of  garlic,  tomatoes,  and  eschalots,  while  lone  and 
solitary,  like  a  forgotten  sentinel  still  on  duty,  a 
tall  pine  reared  its  melancholy  head  in  one  of  the 
corners  of  this  unattractive  spot. 

At  places  in  the  surrounding  plain,  which  more 
resembled  a  dusty  lake  than  the  solid  ground, 
were  scattered  a  few  miserable  stalks  of  wheat,  the 
result  of  an  effort  on  the  part  of  the  agriculturists 
of  the  country  to  see  if  it  were  possible  to  raise 
grain  in  this  parched  region.  The  scanty  produce 
served  to  accommodate  the  numerous  grasshoppers 
with  resting-places  upon  the  stunted  specimens  of 
horticulture,  while  they  filled  the  air  with  sharp, 
unpleasant  cries. 

Poor  Hortense  gazed  over  the  scene,  unattractive 


36  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

save  where  the  waters  of  the  Mediterranean  broke  on 
the  shore,  and  sighed. 

"Better If  I  had  gone  with  the  first  emigrants  to 
the  New  World,"  she  thought. 

At  this  moment  she  caught  sight  of  a  person  on 
horseback  riding  over  the  dusty  plain  toward  her. 
One  glance  at  his  face  and  she  trembled  and  turned 
pale. 

It  was  John  Gyrot. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  SHIPWRECK. A  VISION. 

Two  years  had  elapsed  since  Estevan's  arrival 
in  Spain.  He  was  progressing  well  with  his 
studies  and  could  already  repeat  the  Latin  prayers 
and  church  service.  He  was  meek,  humble,  and 
very  studious.  The  good  Father  Ronoldo  had, 
from  the  first,  taken  great  interest  in  his  pupil 
and  watched  over  him  as  a  natural  father  might. 
Letters  came  from  his  parents  at  home  and  the 
brother  in  Mexico.  Rodrigo's  letters  were  filled  with 
most  marvelous  descriptions  of  the  wonderful  land 
and  people  among  whom  his  lot  was  cast.  His 
accounts  of  some  of  his  thrilling  adventures  made 
the  heart  of  the  intended  ecclesiastic  leap  within 
him. 

Though  everything  possible  was  done  to  make 
Francisco  happy  he  grew  paler  and  more  sad  day  by 
day,  until  the  good  father  Ronoldo  became  alarmed 
for  his  health.  One  day  he  entered  the  study  of 
Francisco  as  the  student  was  pouring  over  a  vol 
ume  of  commentaries. 

37 

449813 


38  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

"My  son,  you  study  too  hard." 

"Why  do  you  say  so,  father?" 

"  Your  cheek  grows  paler  and  your  form  thinner 
than  I  care  to  see  it." 

"A  monk  must  needs  be  a  student." 

"Tell  me,  Francisco,  are  you  happy?" 

The  unexpected  question  was  asked  in  such  an 
earnest  manner  that  Francisco  could  not  but  feel 
the  thought  in  the  priest's  mind. 

"Why  do  you  ask?"  he  gasped. 

"Bcause  you  do  not  seem  it." 

"Would  you  have  me  merry,  father?  Is  not 
ours  a  sacred  calling  in  which  solemnity  should 
become  a  part  of  us?" 

"True,  yet  with  solemnity  and  gravity  there 
should  be  a  quiet  joy  in  the  knowledge  that  we 
ju-e  servants  of  God.  Answer  me  truly,  do  you 
really  wish  to  become  a  priest?" 

Frangisco  bounded  to  his  feet  as  suddenly  as  if 
he  had  been  pricked  with  the  point  of  a  sword, 
and  faced  the  priest.  , 

"  Have  I  ever  by  word  Or  deed  indicated  that 
such. was  not -my  desire?"  he  asked. 

"No,  my  son;  but  you  do  not  look  as  if  you 
loved  the  holy  order."  •  ' 

"I  do — of  course  I  do!"  he  answered  quickly. 
"  It  is  their  choice.  From  my  infancy  I  was  de 
signed  for  the  church," 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  39 

The  priest  gazed  a  moment  at  the  agitated  face, 
and  shook  his  head  knowingly. 

"Parents  may  make  a  mistake,"  he  remarked; 
"but  I  will  not  gainsay  their  wishes.  Why  should 
not  a  parent  consecrate  a  child  to  God  in  this 
modern  day  as  in  ancient  times?  But  methinks, 
my  son,  when  they  made  you  a  priest,  Spain  lost 
a  gallant  soldier." 

Estevan  clasped  his  hand  over  his  heart,  and 
turned  an  appealing  glance  on  the  priest  as  if  to 
implore  him  to  desist.  Interpreting  his  thought  the 
ecclesiastic  added: 

"I  have  come  to  talk  with  you  on  other  matters, 
my  son — the  heretics,  for  instance." 

"Do  they  increase?" 

"  Verily,  in  places  they  do.  That  Luther  is  a 
bold  fellow.  Calvin  was  driven  from  France;  but 
he  had  sown  the  bad  seed  before  his  departure,  and 
the  air  is  filled  with  heresy." 

"Does  not  the  Inquisition  uproot  it?" 

"It  does  much,  but  iiot  enough.  The  good 
Duke  of  Guise,  the  gallant  defender  of  the  faith, 
is  battling  for  the  Pope;  but  Coligni  seems  to  hold 
control  over  the  king's  mother,  regent  to  the  infant 
king  Charles,  and,  saints  preserve  us!  I  know  not 
how  it  will  end." 

Here  the  priest  paused  and  crossed  himself.  A 
moment  later  his  features  brightened, 


40  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"There  is  another  matter  I  wanted  to  speak 
with  you  about,"  he  said.  "Some  Benedictine 
monks  are  going  to  make  a  pilgrimage  to  the 
Pope.  Would  you  like  to  go  to  Kome?" 

"I  would,"  Estevan  answered,  "Give  me  a 
journey  and  it  will  recuperate  my  failing  spirits." 

"Then  you  shall  go." 

It  was  arranged  in  a  few  days,  and  Estevan,  in 
company  with  the  pilgrims,  set  out  for  Kome. 
They  travelled  on  mules  to  a  little  seaport  town  on 
the  Mediterranean,  and  embarked  in  a  vessel  for 
Italy.  Their  vessel  was  a  large  Spanish  caravel, 
a  goodly  craft,  laden  with  wine.  The  captain  was 
an  experienced  seaman  and  his  crew  one  of  the 
best.  Spanish  sailors  had  won  a  reputation  for 
being  among  the  boldest  and  most  successful  navi 
gators  of  the  day. 

The  weather  was  a  little  hazy,  but  there  was 
nothing  formidable  in  the  appearance  of  the  sky 
to  a  bold  and  experienced  navigator.  Francisco 
Estevan  was  something  of  a  sailor,  and,  having 
been  reared  in  the  West  Indies,  was  familiar  with 
hurricanes.  Scarcely  had  they  been  under  way  an 
hour  when  a  gale  sprang  up  which  rapidly  in 
creased  to  a  violent  storm,  separating  them  from  the 
land  at  the  rate  of  eight  leagues  a  watch,  merely 
with  their  fore-courses,  insomuch  that  the  master 

thought  it  necessary  to  stop  that  career,  and,  on 
y  «/  *; 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  41 

consulting  with  his  officers,  brought  the  ship  about 
and  tried  to  furl  up  sails  in  order  to  make  headway 
with  the  mizzen.  The  mountainous  seas,  the  early 
product  of  the  storm,  became  so  unruly  that  the 
seamen  knew  not  how  to  work  the  ship.  They 
were  already  some  distance  from  land,  so  that 
immediate  danger  from  reefs  and  surfs  was  not 
great;  but  so  violent  was  the  storm,  they  were  in 
danger  of  foundering,  especially  as  the  ship  rocked 
in  the  hollow  trough  of  the  sea.  With  great  exer 
tion  and  danger,  the  main  yard  was  lowered  to 
give  some  ease  to  the  mast.  Then  the  great 
difficulty  was  to  handle  the  fore-sails,  that  the  ship 
might  work  about  with  as  little  hazard  as  possible. 
All  hands  were  not  enough  to  haul  the  sheet  close, 
in  order  to  bring  the  ship  about. 

Francisco  Estevan  volunteered  his  services,  and 
his  former  experience  on  shipboard  made  the 
young  theologian  quite  useful.  Great  seas  were 
shipped  as  the  vessel  came  to  work  through  the 
trough  of  the  sea.  One  wave  broke  upon  the  poop 
where  the  monks  were  quartered,  and  a  ton's 
weight  of  water  set  all  afloat  in  the  round-house. 
The  noise  made  by  the  rushing  wave  was  like  the 
report  of  a  great  gun,  and  put  the  pilgrim  monks 
into  a  sad  fright.  Many  were  on  their  knees, 
others  were  counting  their  beads,  or  offering  prayers, 
or  making  promises  of  pilgrimages. 


12  SAIHT  AUGUSTINE. 

The  shock  being  past,  the  vessel  put  about,  with 
foresail  hauled,  and  now  lay  trying  with  her  mizzen 
to  make  headway.  Tossed  like  a  feather  on  the 
foam-capped  waves,  the  water  leaping  in  terrible 
fury  over  the  deck,  the  ship,  it  seemed,  could  not 
hold  together.  Those  awful  sounds,  heard  only  in 
a  storm  at  sea,  the  roaring  of  the  wind  through 
the  rigging  like  shrieks  of  demons,  with  the  groans 
of  the  laboring  ship,  put  the  monks  in  deadly  fear. 
Hours  wore  on  and  a  dark  and  terrible  night  set  in, 
the  enraged  seas  a  mass  of  seething  foam,  the  gale 
still  increasing,  their  condition  growing  more  and 
more  terrible  every  moment.  A  loud  crash  aloft, 
and  the  foremast  came  by  the  board,  broken  short 
off  just  under  the  cap.  Francisco  and  his  com 
panions  started  to  inquire  the  cause  of  the  disaster, 
when  a  mighty  sea  broke  on  the  foreship,  making 
such  an  inundation  on  the  deck  which  he  had 
gained,  that  he  retired  to  the  round-house,  a  prayer 
on  his  lips,  for  he  supposed  the  ship  was  founder 
ing.  The  vessel  stood  stock-still,  her  head  under 
water,  as  though  to  bore  her  way  into  the  sea.  The 
monks  took  a  short  leave  of  each  other,  and, 
assailed  by  new  terrors,  made  a  dolorous  outery, 
while  the  captain,  seeing  the  deck  almost  cleared 
of  water,  called  aloud: 

"Man the  pumps!" 

Francisco,  having  better  sea-legs  than  his  com- 


THE   SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  43 

panions,  again  ventured  to  look  out,  and  learn  the 
cause  of  this  astonishing  alarm,  which  appeared  to 
arise  from  a  no  less  cause  than  the  loss  of  the  fore 
castle,  with  five  guns  and  the  ship's  anchors,  all 
of  which  were  fastened  to  the  cable.  Two  men 
had  been  swept  overboard  and  lost  in  the  surging 
billow.  The  great  gap  made  in  the  forecastle 
opened  a  passage  into  the  hold  for  other  seas;  but 
luckily  they  had  a  number  of  ship's  carpenters 
aboard,  and  these  partially  repaired  the  damages. 

Throughout  the  long,  terrible  night  the  ship 
weathered  the  storm  and  at  dawn  of  day  was  little 
more  than  a  battered  hulk.  The  day  for  which  all 
had  so  earnestly  prayed  came  at  last,  but  brought 
no  abatement  in  the  storm.  Those  white,  fleecy 
clouds  held  no  promise  for  the  future.  The  wind 
roared,  the  waves  raged,  and  all  day  long  the  ship 
labored  in  the  turbulent  waters. 

When  the  sun  again  went  down  the  storm  in 
creased.  The  clouds  grew  thicker  and  blacker, 
and,  charged  with  electricity,  sent  streams  of  liquid 
fire  over  the  awful  scene. 

"  The  ship  cannot  live  through  the  night,"  Fran 
cisco  heard  the  captain  declare. 

The  bowsprit,  having  lost  its  stays  and  rigging, 
and  being  too  heavy  in  itself,  swayed  to  and 
fro  with  such  bangs  that  they  were  compelled  to 
cut  it  off  to  prevent  the  whole  front  part  of  the  ship 


44  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

from  being  demolished.  Everything  was  in  a 
miserable  state  of  disorder,  and  it  was  evident 
their  danger  was  increasing  every  moment.  The 
stays  of  all  the  masts  were  gone,  the  shrouds  that 
remained  were  loose  and  useless,  and  it  was  easy  to 
foresee  that  the  mainmast  must  soon  come  by  the 
board.  A  brave  Portuguese  sailor,  always  ready 
to  expose  himself  to  danger  for  the  welfare  of 
others,  seized  a  carpenter's  axe  and  ran  up  to  pre 
vent  the  evil,  hoping  to  ease  the  mainmast  and 
preserve  it;  but  the  danger  to  his  person  was  so 
manifest  that  the  captain  called  him  down,  and  no 
sooner  had  his  foot  touched  the  deck  than  with  a 
fearful  crash  both  main  and  top-mast  came  down 
together,  falling  to  windward  clear  of  the  deck  into 
the  sea  without  harming  any  one. 

The  shrouds  and  rigging  retaining  their  hold  on 
the  vessel's  side,  at  every  surge  of  the  sea,  like  a 
monster  pattering  ram,  the  butt  of  the  broken  mast 
was  driven  against  the  side  of  the  vessel,  threaten 
ing  to  beat  a  hole  through  it.  The  Portuguese  now 
with  his  axe  did  good  service  in  cutting  away  the 
rigging  and  clearing  the  ship  of  the  wreck. 

She  immediately  righted,  drifting  helplessly 
before  the  driving  storm  toward  the  coast  of  France. 
Having  no  sail,  the  vessel  refused  to  answer  to  her 
rudder,  and  the  incessant  flashes  of  lightning 
revealed  to  them  the  wild  surf  leaping  mountains 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  45 

high  upon  the  shore  to  which  they  were  helplessly 
drifting. 

Being  more  courageous  than  his  fellow-pilgrims, 
trancisco  sought  to  instill  some  hope  into  their 
breasts;  but  the  monks  were  insane  with  fear. 
Some  swooned  with  fright,  and  others  clung  wildly 
to  parts  of  the  vessel  so  that  they  could  hardly  be 
pulled  away.  Francisco,  with  a  thought  of  home 
and  mother  and  another  of  heaven,  resolved  to  do 
all  in  his  power  to  save  his  life. 

Again  were  the  heavens  lighted  by  that  liquid 
blaze.  The  wild-eyed  passengers  and  sailors  saw 
that  they  were  frightfully  near  the  shore.  At  this 
moment  the  boom  of  one  of  the  guns  on  the  after 
deck  thundered  forth  the  signal  of  danger.  Thrice 
the  gun  sent  its  awful  message  thundering  across 
the  waters  to  the  black  shores.  ' 

One  long-continued  flash  revealed  low-lying 
lands  with  hills  far  in  the  background,  a  sandy 
beach  in  the  fore  and  a  small  hamlet  not  half  a 
mile  from  the  beach.  It  was  gone  in  a  moment, 
and  the  blackness  of  despair  and  raging  waters 
seemed  to  overwhelm  them.  With  a  crash  the 
ship  struck  ground,  and  raised  such  a  war  of  water 
and  sand  together,  which  fell  on  the  main  chains, 
that  hopes  of  safety  were  abandoned.  A  wave, 
striking  her  on  the  starboard  quarter,  pitched  her 
over  on  her  side,  and  the  water,  rushing  over 


46 


SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 


the  deck, 
swept  away 
the  captain 
and  half  the  crew. 
Clinging  he 
knew  not  how  long 
to  the  side  of  the  ship  high 
est  out  of  the  water,  and 
drenched  to  the  skin  by 
each  successive  wave, 
Francisco  waited  the  com 
ing  of  the  angel  of  death. 
Anon  a  flash  revealed  an 
object  tossing  about  on  the 
surf.  It  was  a  boat,  or  else  he  was  dreaming.  It 
was  a  small  fisherman's  boat  in  which  sat  a  soli 
tary  person,  and  that  person  a  woman.  In  a 


A  PLASH  REVEALED  AN 
OBJECT  TOSSING  ON  THE 
SURF." 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  4f 

moment  it  was  gone  in  darkness,  and  he,  the  only 
survivor  of  the  wreck,  was  ready  to  believe  it  a 
vision  of  his  disordered  brain. 

But  again  the  lightning  came  and  revealed  the 
boat,  propelled  certainly  by  an  angelic  hand,  nearer 
than  before.  Could  he  believe  his  senses?  He 
was  falling  into  a  semi-unconscious  state,  when  a 
voice  from  the  darkness  below  shouted  from  under 
the  lee  of  the  stranded  ship.  He  answered, 
although  the  call  was  in  a  foreign  tongue. 

The  lightning's  flash  revealed  a  small  fishing- 
boat  below,  in  which  sat  a  young  girl.  Again  she 
called  to  him  in  French: 

"Monsieur,  come,  save  yourself !" 

He  tried  to  descend,  but  in  doing  so  he  fell.  He 
struck  some  hard  substance,  and  all  was  a  blank. 

That  reason  dawned  after  such  a  trial  seemed 
more  like  magic  than  reality.  All  bodily  fatigue, 
all  the  preoccupation  of  the  mind  produced  by 
such  terrible  events  disappeared  as  they  do  at  the 
first  feeling  of  sleep.  His  body  seemed  to  acquire 
an  airy  lightness,  his  perception  being  brightened 
in  a  remarkable  manner,  his  senses  redoubled,  and 
the  horizon  expanded.  It  was  not  that  gloomy 
horizon  over  which  alarm  had  prevailed,  but 
blue,  boundless,  transparent,  with  all  the  charm  of 
a  summer  sea,  and  all  the  spangles  of  a  glorious 
sun.  In  the  midst  of  music  so  clear  and  sound- 


48  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

ing,  it  seemed  divine  harmony,  he  saw  the  low 
rocky  shore  as  an  oasis  in  the  desert,  which  as  he 
approached  resounded  with  songs,  as  if  some 
enchanter  like  Amphion  had  decreed  to  attract 
thither  a  soul,  or  build  a  city. 

He  seemed  lying  somewhere  on  a  delightful 
couch,  inspiring  the  fresh  balmy  air,  like  that 
which  may  be  supposed  to  reign  around  the  grotto 
of  Circe,  formed  from  such  perfumes  as  set  the 
mind  a-dreaming,  and  such  fires  as  burn  the  very 
senses.  There  floated  before  him  such  a  vision  as 
had  never  dawned  upon  the  imagination  of  man. 
It  was  a  sylph-like  figure,  rich  in  form,  with  eyes 
of  fascination,  smile  of  love,  and  bright  flowing 
hair.  Phyrne,  Cleopatra  and  Messalina  were  incom 
parable  to  that  being,  who  glided  as  pure  as  a  ray, 
like  a  Christian  angel  in  the  midst  of  Olympus — 
one  of  those  chaste  figures,  those  calm  shadows, 
those  soft  visions,  which  seem  to  veil  the  virgin 
brow  of  one  too  pure  for  this  earth. 

Wild  fantasy  slowly  gave  way  to  reality,  and 
he  found  himself  lying  on  a  bed,  a  plain  bed  at 
that,  in  an  old,  plain  room,  and  through  the  win 
dow  he  could  behold  the  sea-shore  strewn  with  the 
wreck  of  his  vessel.  It  was  a  disappointing 
awakening  from  a  delightful  vision,  but  a  moment 
later  he  was  repaid,  when  a  bit  of  animated  sun 
shine  in  the  form  of  a  lovely  girl  with  great  blue 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  49 

eyes  and  golden  hair  entered.  She  saw  that  his 
eyes  were  opened  and  reason  restored,  and  clasp 
ing  her  hands  with  joy,  a  smile  on  her  lovely  face, 
she  began  to  speak  in  French : 

"Is  Monsieur' better?" 

Fortunately  Francisco  Estevan  understood  the 
language,  and  made  haste  to  answer  that  he  was 
better.  Then  he  inquired  if  any  of  his  com 
panions  were  saved.  A  look  of  sadness  came  over 
the  sweet  face  as  she  answered: 

"  You  should  give  God  thanks  for  yourself,  mon 
sieur;  you  were  the  only  one  who  escaped.  Many 
of  your  companions  lie  on  the  beach,  and  the  fisher 
men  of  Beaucarre  are  trying  to  recover  the  bodies 
of  the  others." 

In  the  sweet  young  face  before  him  he  saw  the 
central  object  of  those  delightful  visions.  Nay, 
more,  he  beheld  the  same  form  that  was  revealed 
by  the  lightning's  flash  while  he  clung  to  the 
broken  wreck.  Mustering  up  what  French  he  had 
at  his  command  he  asked: 

"Did  you  not  rescue  me  from  the  wreck  last 
night?" 

"  Not  last  night.  It  has  been  three  days  since 
the  awful  event." 

"Three  days,  can  it  be  possible?" 

"Yes,  monsieur,  it  has  been  three  whole  days 
since  the  wreck,  and  you  are  the  only  one  saved." 
4 


50  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"  Had  it  not  been  for  you,  brave  little  senorita, 
I,  too,  would  have  found  a  watery  grave."  In 
his  earnest  gratitude  Francisco  Estevan  seized  the 
small,  white  hand  of  his  pretty  deliverer  and 
kissed  it  again  and  again. 

She  gently  withdrew  her  hand  and  urged  him 
to  keep  quiet,  as  he  was  still  weak  and  needed 
rest.  She  sat  at  his  side  and  told  him  all  that  had 
transpired  since  his  rescue,  and  then  left  him  for  a 
few  moments  to  bring  some  nourishment. 

Under  the  tender  care  of  Hortense  De  Barre, 
Francisco  Estevan  rapidly  convalesced,  and  in  a 
few  days  was  able  to  get  about  the  hamlet,  or  wan 
der  down  to  the  sea-shore.  His  young  nurse  and 
rescuer  nearly  always  accompanied  him,  and  they 
grew  strongly  attached  to  each  other. 

A  low-browed,  scowling  youth,  with  masses  of 
jet-black  hair  about  his  face,  frequently  dogged 
their  footsteps,  and  more  than  once  Francisco 
found  him  eavesdropping. 

"Who  is  he,  senorita,  who  follows  us  so  persis 
tently?"  Francisco  asked  his  fair  companion,  as, 
one  day,  strolling  on  the  bea,ch?  he  caught  a 
glimpse  of  their  shadower  behind  an  old  boat. 

"He  is  Monsieur  Gyrot,"  Hortense  answered. 

"Is  he  your  relative?" 

"No,  monsieur." 

"A  friend?" 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION. 


51 


"An  acquaintance,"  she  answered. 

Francisco  had  frequently  urged  her  to  tell  him 
her  history,  but  she  always  declined.  All  he  knew 
of  her  was  that 
she  was  the 
daughter  of  a 
sea-captain  from 
Dieppe,  which 
accounted  for 
her  skill  in 
handling  the 
oars  in  the 
surf,  but 


further  h  e 
knew  noth 
ing. 

O 

Never    did     Fran 
cisco  pass  a  more  de- 
"WHO  is  HE  WHO  FOLLOWS  us    liglitful    period    than 

SO   PERSISTENTLY?"  ^       Beaucarre>  Fre. 

quently  in  after  years,  when  amidst  the  whirlwind 
and  storms  of  an  eventful  life,  he  looked  back 
upon  that  period  as  the  one  green  oasis  in  his 
existence.  He  was  wholly  recovered,  and  yet  he 


52  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

could  not  tear  himself  away  from  Beaucarre. 
Young  priest,  are  you  forgetting  your  vows? 
This  question,  thundered  by  an  ill-tutored  con 
science,  rang  in  his  ear  day  after  day;  but,  like 
persons  rushing  upon  fate,  he  was  blind  and  deaf 
to  reason.  Being  a  priest,  how  could  he  hope  to 
wed  Hortense,  and  yet  how  could  he  give  her  up? 
She  was  dearer  to  him  than  life,  and  he  was  at 
times  almost  ready  to  say  that  she  would  outbal 
ance  his  salvation. 

Love  is  a  plant  of  quick  growth.  It  matures 
and  ripens  in  a  day  in  those  genial  Southern  climes. 
Three  weeks  had  elapsed  since  his  recovery,  and 
the  student  was  almost  ready  to  abandon  the 
sacerdotal  robe  for  the  lily  of  France.  His  intended 
calling  had  been  kept  a  secret  from,  all,  and  Hor 
tense  De  Barre,  the  Huguenot,  little  dreamed  that 
she  had  been  ministering  to  a  priest.  They  dis 
cussed  almost  every  subject  save  religion.  For  the 
last  few  days  John  Gyrot  had  disappeared  from 
Beaucarre,  and  they  were  left  quite  to  themselves. 

Francisco  would  hardly  admit,  even  to  himself, 
that  he  was  in  love.  One  designed  for  the  priest 
hood  must  not  love;  but  this  strange,  beautiful 
French  girl,  the  embodiment  of  all  that  was  good, 
pure,  and  holy,  had  enchanted  him. 

One  day  Gyrot  returned  as  suddenly  as  he  had 
disappeared.  His  tired,  haggard  manner  and 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  53 

travel-stained  clothing  bore  evidence  of  a  long 
journey.  He  did  not  immediately  address  himself 
to  either  Hortense  or  Francisco;  but,  with  a 
triumphant  smile  on  his  face,  he  kept  aloof  for  a 
day  or  two.  On  the  third  day,  however,  as  Fran 
cisco  wandered  alone  on  the  beach,  his  mind  filled 
with  those  beautiful  day-dreams  which  for  weeks 
had  made  existence  a  paradise,  Gyrot  suddenly 
approached  him  and,  laying  his  hand  on  che  stu 
dent's  shoulder,  said: 

"I  want  to  talk  with  you,  monsieur." 

Francisco  had  no  objection,  and  expressed  him 
self  as  willing  to  hear  whatever  Senor  Gyrot  might 
have  to  say. 

"Come  under  the  pines." 

The  pines  were  three  tall  trees  growing  near  the 
beach  above  a  low  bluff  of  rocks,  and  thither 
they  went  and  seated  themselves  on.  some  stones. 

"You  are  a  Spaniard,  monsieur." 

"I  am  a  Spanish- American.  I  was  born  in 
Cuba." 

"  You  have  been  studying  at  Salamanca  for  the 
priesthood." 

"  You  have  taken  needless  pains  to  inform  your 
self  about  my  private  affairs.  If  that  was  the 
object  of  your  recent  journey,  I  could  have  saved 
you  the  trouble  had  you  asked  me,  for  I  have 
nothing  to  conceal." 


54  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"If  the  monsieur  is  to  be  a  priest,  his  atten 
tions  to  the  mademoiselle  are  not  in  good  taste." 

"I  understand;  you  are  growing  jealous,  senor," 

"If  monsieur  cares  nothing  for  his  monastic 
vows,  what  will  he  think  when  I  tell  him  the 
mademoiselle  is  a  Huguenot?" 

"What!"  cried  Francisco,  leaping  to  his  feet  as 
suddenly  as  if  a  mine  had  been  sprung  beneath 
him.  Without  seeming  to  notice  his  confusion, 
Gyrot,  who  took  a  devilish  satisfaction  in  his 
work,  went  on: 

"The  mademoiselle  is  a  Protestant,  a  hated 
heretic,  a  Huguenot.  The  monsieur  has  not  well 
informed  himself,  or  he  would  know  that  her 
father,  Captain  De  Barre  of  the  navy,  was  an  own 
cousin  of  Coligni." 

"Say  no  more!  I  care  not  to  hear  another 
word,"  cried  Francisco,  and  he  hurried  away 
from  his  evil  genius.  One  living  in  the  present 
age  of  freedom  and  enlightenment  cannot  understand 
the  emotions  of  rage,  shame,  remorse,  and  even  fear 
which  tortured  the  soul  of  Francisco  Estevan. 
All  his  education,  his  superstition  and  traditions 
revolted  at  thought  of  heresy.  He  who  had  advo 
cated  the  Inquisition  and  the  extermination  of 
heretics  by  any  means  had  fallen  in  love  with  a 
Huguenot!  He  who  was  to  become  a  priest  had 
been  infatuated  with  a  heretic. 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  55 

"I  cannot  believe  it!"  he  declared,  as  he  walked 
along  the  beach,  heedless  of  the  malicious  grin  of 
his  rival.  When  the  first  wild  tumult  of  emotion 
had  given  way  to  sober  thought,  he  determined  to 
seek  Hortense  and  learn  the  truth  from  her. 

"Be  she  heretic  or  devil,  she  will  speak  the 
truth,"  he  thought. 

It  was  like  wringing  the  heart  from  his  bosom. 
Never  before  had  he  realized  how  dear  to  him 
the  little  French  girl  had  grown ;  but  of  all  crimes, 
heresy  was  the  greatest.  Had  she  been  a  mur 
deress,  a  common  thief,  or  an  outcast,  penance  and 
prayer  would  have  given  her  absolution;  but  for 
Protestantism  there  was  no  cure. 

He  sought  an  early  interview  with  Hortense,  and 
found  her  in  the  unlovely  garden,  the  only  bloom 
ing  flower  in  the  desolate  plaisance.  She  greeted 
him  with  a  smile,  but  his  face  was  unusually 
grave,  and  she  saw  that  something  was  wrong. 

"What  has  gone  amiss?"  she  asked. 

"Senorita,  I  have  come  to  talk  with  you  for 
perhaps  the  last  time." 

"Is  monsieur  going  away?"  He  was  quite  sure 
her  face  expressed  sorrow. 

"Yes — I  shall  return  to  Spain.  The  seftorita 
knows  I  am  a  Spaniard." 

"Of  course,  I  have  known  it  all  along,"  she 
answered. 


56  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Is  the  senorita  a  Huguenot?" 

She  fixed  her  great,  truthful  eyes  on  his  face 
and  answered: 

"lam." 

He  leaned  against  the  framework  of  a  vineless 
arbor  and  for  several  moments  was  like  one  stunned, 
while  she  continued: 

"I  am  a  Huguenot,  and  the  monsieur  a  Catholic; 
but  do  we  not  both  bow  before  the  same  God? 
Should  not  I  give  him  the  right  to  his  religious 
views,  and  he  accord  the  same  to  me?  My  father 
and  my  brother  were  slain  in  a  Catholic  riot.  I 
saw  their  bleeding  and  mutilated  bodies  dragged 
through  the  streets  by  men  gone  mad  over  religion. 
They  have  forgotten  the  commands  of  the  Master 
and  seem  inspired  by  the  spirit  of  the  evil  one. 
They  forget:  '  This  is  my  commandment,  that  ye 
love  one  another.'  When  I  saw  them  dragging 
my  dear  father's  lifeless  and  mutilated  body 
through  the  street,  I  remembered  the  text:  'They 
shall  put  you  out  of  the  synagogues;  yea,  the 
time  cometh  that  whosoever  killeth  you,  will  think 
that  he  doeth  God  service.'  *  The  prophecy  is  ful 
filled.  My  poor  father,  so  gentle  and  kind,  so 
brave  and  noble,  was  slain  like  a  wild  beast;  but, 
monsieur,  I  bear  the  Catholics  no  ill  will ;  they  are 

*  JOHN,  16 : 2. 


THE  SHIPWRECK.— A  VISION.  57 

crazed,  they  are  deceived,  and  think  they  do  God 
service.  Let  us  be  friends." 

She  extended  her  hand  to  Francisco,  who  drew 
back  with  a  shudder,  as  if  it  were  polluted,  and 
cried : 

"No,  no!  touch  me  not.  No  heretics,  none 
who  deny  the  faith  j  shall  pollute  me  with  their 
unholy  touch.  Adieu!" 

He  turned  on  his  heel  and  left  her  gazing  at  him 
through  those  beautiful  eyes  swimming  in  tears. 

The  only  bright  dream  of  his  life  was  over,  and 
he  hastened  from  the  hamlet  as  if  it  had  been  the 
abode  of  fiends.  He  journeyed  on  foot  to  a  con 
vent  where  he  got  transportation  to  Spain  to  resume 
his  studies.  Love's  young  dream  was  past,  swal 
lowed  in  grief  and  pain,  and  the  student  was  paler 
and  more  melancholy  than  before. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

SEEKING    HOMES   AND    PEACE. 

• 

THE  early  explorers  on  the  American  continent, 
each  gave  new  names  to  rivers,  bays,  gulfs,  and 
lakes,  until  the  student  is  apt  to  become  confused 
in  his  researches  among  their  chronicles.  John 
Ribault  followed  the  same  course,  giving  to  Florid- 
ian  streams  French  names  as  he  sailed  along  the 
coast,  and  for  a  while  America  had  its  Seine,  its 
Loire,  and  its  Garonne. 

As  a  class  the  French  are  an  enthusiastic  people, 
and  the  idea  of  a  new  colony  in  -a  new  country,  of 
building  up  a  great  empire,  filled  the  colonists  at 
Fort  Charles  with  enthusiasm.  Albert,  the  man 
left  in  command  of  Fort  Charles,  was  brave  and 
enterprising,  but  lacked  the  power  of  controlling 
men  in  the  wilderness  where  he  had  not  the  strong 
arm  of  the  civil  law  to  aid  him.  He  was  an 
adventurer,  and  thought  more  of  finding  a  Mexico 
or  Peru  than  planting  fields  of  corn.  "When  the 
more  prudent  members  of  the  colony  advised  him 
to  devote  more  time  to  agriculture,  he  was  indig 
nant. 

58 


SEEKING    HOMES   AND    PEACE.  59 

"  I  command  here,  and  I  will  seek  for  gold.  The 
paraousties*  tell  of  rich  mines  of  silver  and  gold." 

His  was  an  error  common  to  early  colonists. 
With  his  emigrants  he  roved  about  the  country, 
until  provisions  failed,  powder  and  ball  for  their 
matchlocks  gave  out,  and  the  Indians  would  no 
longer  supply  their  colony.  The  governor  of  the 
colony  became  intolerant  and  overbearing,  and  soon 
his  companions  began  to  take  measures  to  get  rid 
of  him.  While  they  were  planning  a  mutiny, 
he  precipitated  matters  himself  by  knocking  down 
a  young  man  in  a  fit  of  frenzy.  The  injured  party 
sought  revenge  and  assassinated  Albert  the  next 
night.  He  was  not  punished  for  the  offence,  and 
historians  speak  of  Albert's  death  as  the  act  of  a 
revolt  on  the  part  of  the  colony.  A  more  prudent 
man  named  Barre  was  chosen  in  his  stead,  and  he 
at  once  advised  a  return  to  France. 

"How  can  we  return?"  some  of  the  more 
despondent  asked.  "We  have  no  vessel." 

"Build  one,"  said  Barre. 

Eibault  failing  to  appear  with  the  promised 
recruits  and  supplies  for  the  infant  colony,  they  set 
to  work  to  build  and  rig  out  a  vessel.  They  were 
almost  at  death's  door,  and  gaunt  famine  was 
staring  them  in  the  face.  Had  they  devoted  one- 

*  The  term  applied  to  Indian  chiefs  by  French  Hugue 
nots. 


60  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

tenth  the  energy  to  planting  and  sowing  which  they 
now  used  to  construct  a  frail  bark,  it  would  have 
placed  them  above  want.  Putting  to  sea  in  this 
frail  craft  they  were  driven  about  at  the  mercy  of 
wind  and  waves,  until  their  water  and  provisions 
were  exhausted,  and  then  they  had  recourse  to 
cannibalism.  A  remnant  of  the  colony  was  finally 
picked  up  by  an  English  vessel  and  taken  to 
England,  where  Raleigh  and  Queen  Elizabeth 
listened  to  their  strange  story  of  adventures  in 
the  New  World. 

John  Ribault  had  not  deserted  the  infant  colony 
in  Florida  as  they  supposed.  On  his  return  to 
France,  he  found  a  civil  war  raging  between  the 
theological  factions — Roman  Catholics  and  Hugue 
nots — with  unrelenting  violence.  The  monarch, 
the  court  and,  Coligni  were  all  involved  in  this 
unfortunate  strife. 

"I  should  like  to  aid  you,"  said  Coligni  to 
Ribault' s  plea  for  immediate  succor  for  those  in 
the  wilds  of  Florida;  "but  at  present  you  see  we 
can  do  nothing." 

"If  our  people  were  transferred  to  this  goodly 
land  it  would  put  an  end  to  this  unholy  strife," 
answered  Ribault. 

"Very  true,  monsieur,"  Coligni  answered,  "I 
feel  a  more  personal  interest  in  the  cause  of  the 
Huguenots  now,  for  my  dead  cousin's  child  ap- 


SEEKING    HOMES   AND   PEACE.  61 

peals  to  me  every  hour  to  escape  this  accursed 
persecution.  Let  us  wait,  hope  and  pray  for 
better  times." 

Those  better  times  did  not  come  until  1564, 
almost  two  years  from  the  departure  of  the  first 
colony.  Then  the  regent  and  her  son  provided 
Coligni  with  money  and  three  armed  ships — The 
Elizabeth  of  Hanfleur,  Petite  Britain  and  Falcon. 
The  little  squadron  was  placed  under  the  command 
of  Rene  Laudonniere,  who  had  accompanied 
Ribault  on  his  first  voyage.  He  took  with  him 
young  men  of  family  and  fortune,  mechanics  and 
laborers,  Jacob  Le  Moyne  as  artist  and  geographer 
of  the  expedition,  and  two  skillful  pilots,  the 
brothers  Vasseur  of  Dieppe. 

On  learning  of  the  fitting  out  of  the  second  expe 
dition,  Hortense  went  to  her  cousin  to  plead  with 
him  to  be  permitted  to  go  with  it.  The  squadron 
had  sailed  before  she  reached  Havre  de  Grace; 
but  Coligni,  who  still  lingered  there,  assured  her  she 
should  go  with  the  next.  The  hot  war  of  perse 
cution  had  reached  even  Beaucarre,  and  she  was 
compelled  to  fly  that  portion  of  the  country. 
Gyrot  had  continued  his  persecutions  with  cunning 
audacity  and  persistance.  He  urged  her  to  wed 
him,  assuring  her  of  protection  if  she  did  and 
death  if  she  did  not,  until  her  choice  seemed  to  be 
marriage  with  that  monster  or  death  at  the  stake. 


62  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Gyrot,  by  his  cunning  and  duplicity,  managed  to 
keep  on  the  best  terms  with  both  Protestants  and 
Eomanists.  How  he  succeeded  was  a  mystery  to 
Hortense.  She  never  asked  him.  She  avoided 
him  as  she  would  a  monster.  Just  before  the 
departure  of  the  second  colony  under  Laudonniere, 
Gyrot  suddenly  disappeared  from  the  neighborhood 
where  the  brave  girl  was  staying;  but  she  did 
not  suspect  that  he  had  gone  to  America.  Day 
by  day  she  anticipated  seeing  his  ugly  face  and  feel 
ing  more  keenly  some  devilish  plan  he  had  set  on 
foot.  Coligni,  assuring  the  unhappy  girl  she  should 
be  sent  to  America  as  soon  as  practicable,  placed 
her  with  some  friends  powerful  enough  to  protect 
her  from  both  Romanists  and  Gyrot. 

Since  her  meeting  with  Francisco  Estevan  the 
girl  was  overwhelmed  with  woe.  Those  sad,  burn 
ing  eyes  seemed  ever  gazing  at  her,  and  his  deep 
solemn  voice  rang  in  her  ears.  Gyrot,  in  a  fit  of 
exultation,  had  told  her  that  Estevan  was  an 
unrighteous  priest  whose  chief  desire  was  to  burn 
her  at  the  stake. 

"He  may  be  a  priest,"  she  answered,  "but  he 
is  not  a  bad  man.  He  has  a  heart  in  his  breast 
which  beats  as  tenderly  as  may  be  found  in  a 
Luther  or  Melancthon." 

It  will  be  necessary  in  this  chapter  to  follow  the 
fortunes  of  Laudonniere.  He  set  sail  from  Havre 


SEEKING  HOMES  AND  PEACE.  63 

de  Grace  the  22d  of  April,  1564,  and,  after  a 
prosperous  voyage,  arrived  at  Florida  on  the  22d 
of  June.  Unknown  to  Hortense  or  any  of  her 
friends,  John  Gyrot  had  gone  with  the  expedition, 
intending  to  be  in  the  new  colony  when  Mademo- 
selle  De  Barre  should  arrive  there,  and  hoping  in 
the  New  World  to  succeed  better  in  his  courtship 
than  he  had  in  the  Old.  Landing  in  Florida, 
Laudonniere  was  met  by  one  of  the  Floridian 
princes,  named  Saturiova,  who  almost  worshipped 
him.  Bringing  his  two  sons  to  the  French, 
Saturiova  through  an  interpreter  said: 

"  These  are  my  sons,  both  of  whom  are  great 
warriors  and  will  fight  for  the  Frenchmen." 

The  eldest,  an  amiable  young  man,  became  very 
fond  of  the  French,  instructing  them  in  the  state 
of  the  country,  their  friends  and  enemies,  and 
everything  they  would  have  to  fear.  Laudonni&re, 
without  regarding  Fort  Charles,  by  the  advice  of 
Saturiova  fixed  his  residence  on  the  river  May,  and 
engaged  the  paraousti  or  chief  to  accompany  him  in 
an  excursion  up  the  river. 

They  had  proceeded  but  a  little  way  when 
Laudonni&re  ordered  a  halt  and  pitched  his  tent. 

"  Are  you  going  to  remain  here?"  asked  Ottigny, 
one  of  his  officers. 

"Yes,  I  will  send  you  with  D'Erlac  higher  up 
the  stream  to  make  discoveries." 


64  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

They  were  accordingly  sent  in  company  with 
Saturiova  up  the  river  while  Laudonniere  awaited 
their  return  in  his  tent.  He  displayed  more  mili 
tary  genius  than  his  predecessors,  and  came  early 
to  regard  the  Indians  as  unreliable  and  treacherous. 
At  the  end  of  seven  days  Ottigny  and  D'Erlac 
returned. 

"What  have  you  discovered?"  Laudonniere 
asked. 

"A  chief  two  hundred  and  fifty  years  old," 
D'Erlac  answered. 

Laudonniere,  with  a  look  of  incredulity,  asked: 

"Have  you  discovered  nothing  else?" 

"  A  goodly  country,  vast  in  extent,  with  famous 
rivers  and  lakes  and  covered  with  the  most  dense 
forest  I  ever  saw." 

"Have  you  found  no  cities?" 

"No,  we  discovered  only  villages ;  but  we  heard 
of  great  cities  further  inland." 

"Have  you  found  no  mines  of  gold  or  silver?" 
Laudonni&re  early  became  infected  with  the  fever 
for  gold,  a  disease  which  had  excited  the  Spaniards 
to  such  deeds  of  cruelty.  D'Erlac  answered: 

"We  have  found  no  mines;  but  Saturiova 
assures  us  there  are  mines  rich  in  gold  and  silver." 

"Where?" 

"Not  in  his  country,  but  in  the  distant  land 
governed  by  one  Timagoa,  who  is  his  enemy,  and 


SEEKING   HOMES   AND   PEACE.  65 

if  you  will  assist  him  in  subduing  this  foe,  he  will 
give  you  all  the  gold  and  silver  in  that  country." 

Laudonniere  at  once  sent  for  Saturiova,  and 
that  cunning  savage  hurried  to  the  tent  of  the  French 
commandant.  Saturiova  was  a  shrewd  politician 
if  not  a  great  general.  His  design  had  been,  from 
the  first,  to  secure  these  powerful  allies  with  their 
invincible  arms  to  aid  him  in  defeating  his  enemy 
Timagoa.  He  entered  the  presence  of  Laudonniere 
with  many  protestations  of  love  and  friendship. 

"Can  you  tell  me  where  I  will  find  the  mines 
of  gold  and  silver?"  asked  the  Frenchman. 

"  It  is  the  product  of  a  distant  land  governed  by 
Timagoa,"  the  wily  chief  answered.  "Timagoa 
is  a  very  bad  man,  and  if  the  French  with  their 
thunder  guns  will  go  with  me  to  subdue  him,  I 
will  give  all  the  gold  and  silver  to  the  white  men. 
I  only  want  my  revenge  on  Timagoa." 

The  principal  small-arm  of  the  French  at  that 
day  was  what  was  called  the  matchlock,  an  im 
provement  over  the  old-fashioned  arquebus,  the 
first  musket.  The  wheel -lock  had  been  invented, 
but  had  not  yet  come  into  general  use.  The  match 
lock  was  a  gun  with  a  pan  in  which  was  the  prim 
ing  powder  connecting  with  the  powder  in  the 
barrel  by  means  of  a  touch-hole.  This  pan  could 
be  opened  by  a  spring.  It  was  fired  by  a  match- 
cord,  which  was  usually  carried  in  the  hand  lighted 
5 


66  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

at  both  ends.  A  single  match-cord  would  bum  for 
hours.  To  fire  the  gun,  the  match  was  blown  so 
as  to  remove  the  dead  ashes,  then  the  pan  opened 
and  the  match  applied  to  the  priming.  The  gun 
was  heavy  and  unwieldy,  so  that,  like  the  arque 
bus,  it  was  fired  from  a  rack  or  rest,  a  rod  under 
neath  it.  These  arms,  clumsy  as  they  may  seem 
in  these  modern  days,  were  very  formidable  to  the 
Indians. 

Laudonniere  promised  the  chief  his  support; 
but,  after  carefully  considering  the  matter,  con 
cluded  that  he  could  not  afford  to  plunge  his 
young  colony  into  a  civil  war,  and  decided  to  dis 
cover  the  mines  without  the  aid  of  the  cunning 
Saturiova.  He  counselled  with  D'Erlac  and  asked 
him  what  he  thought  of  the  plan. 

"  It  is  best,  monsieur.  We  should  avoid  a  war 
with  any  of  these  people.  I  have  heard  that 
Timagoa  is  a  very  powerful  chief,  and  is  disposed 
to  be  friendly  with  us.  "We  have  had  no  quarrel 
with  him,  and  he  may  give  us  the  mines  without 
fighting  for  them." 

That  night  Laudonniere  decamped  without  tak 
ing  Saturiova  into  his  confidence  and  sailed  up 
another  river,  where  he  met  the  chief  of  the  prov 
ince,  his  wife  and  four  daughters,  who  hospitably 
entertained  him.  Among  the  presents  the  French 
commandant  received  was  a  small  ball  of  silver, 


SEEKING   HOMES   AND   PEACE.  6? 

which  confirmed  him  in  the  belief  that  he  was  in 
the  neighborhood  of  rich  mines.  Assembling  his 
men  near  the  mouth  of  May  River,  he  said: 

"  We  have  reached  a  goodly  country  surrounded 
by  friendly  savages  and  near  mines  rich  in  silver 
and  gold.  The  soil  is  rich,  yielding  its  fruits 
without  labor,  and  I  deem  it  a  location  fit  for  the 
founding  of  our  colony." 

All  consented,  and  next  day  the  squadron  was 
ordered  to  repair  to  the  mouth  of  May  River,*  and 
they  commenced  the  construction  of  that  fort  which 
was  to  be  bathed  in  innocent  blood — Fort  Carolinia. 
Saturiova,  the  chief,  came  to  them  and  was  so  well 
pleased  that  he  sent  Indians  to  assist  in  the  con 
struction  of  the  fort.  The  Indians  also  brought 
them  gold,  silver,  and  pearls,  which  Laudonnicre 
ordered  to  be  put  in  the  common  stock. 

As  soon  as  Fort  Carolinia  was  built,  Laudonniere 
dispatched  one  of  his  ships  to  France  for  recruits 
and  supplies.  It  now  began  to  look  as  if  the 
French  had  taken  posesssion  of  the  New  World  in 
earnest.  Day  by  day  the  echoes  of  the  woodman's 
axe  and  the  thundering  crash  of  falling  trees 
announced  that  the  hand  of  industry  had  begun  to 
make  the  wilderness  bloom.  Houses  were  erected 
beyond  the  fort,  and  a  future  city  projected. 

*  Now  St.  John. 


68  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Ottigny  was  indefatigable  in  his  search  for  gold 
and  silver.  On  his  return  from  one  expedition, 
one  of  his  soldiers  brought  with  him  several 
pounds  of  silver.  On  seeing  it,  Laudonniere 
asked  the  soldier: 

"Where  did  you  get  it?" 

"From  an  Indian." 

"  Where  do  the  Indians  get  it?" 

"Truth,  I  cannot  tell,  monsieur." 

"Don't  they  know?" 

"  This  savage  got  it  from  another,  and  he  from 
still  another,  so  that  we  are  unable  to  trace  the 
metal  to  its  true  discoverer." 

"Don't  they  know?" 

"If  they  do,  they  skillfully  conceal  the  knowl 
edge  from  us,  monsieur.  They  disagree  among 
themselves  as  to  the  direction  of  the  mines, 
though  all  say  they  are  a  great  way  off.  One 
paraousti  says  that  off  to  the  north  is  a  moun 
tain  of  yellow  iron,  by  which  he  of  course  means 
a  mountain  of  gold. " 

"The  dogs  are  deceiving  us,"  said  Laudonniere. 

"  Saturiova  will  call  on  the  commandant  in  the 
morning.  Question  him  concerning  the  mountain 
of  gold,"  said  Ottigny. 

"That  I  will." 

Accordingly,  on  the  morrow,  Saturiova  called 
on  Laudonniere.  His  manner  was  quiet  and  dig- 


SEEKING   HOMES   AND   PEACE.  69 

nified,  but  there  was  a  perceptible  coolness  on  the 
part  of  the  chief,  rather  remarkable  in  one  who  had 
been  so  amiable.  This  was  more  marked  from 
the  fact  that  his  army  of  five  hundred  fighting  men 
were  all  mustered  near  the  fort,  as  if  to  engage 
in  some  warlike  expedition. 

"What  has  the  paraousti  to  say  this  morning?" 
asked  Laudonniere. 

"  I  came  to  remind  the  white  chief  of  his  promise 
to  be  the  friend  of  my  frienda  and  the  enemy  of 
my  enemies!  I  am  ready  now  to  march  with  my 
army  against  Timagoa;  will  the  white  chief  go 
with  me?" 

For  a  moment  Laudonniere  was  nonplussed. 
Being  a  shrewd  diplomat  he  knew  it  would  never 
do  to  arouse  the  hostility  of  the  paraousti  in  whose 
territory  he  believed  the  famous  gold  mountain  to 
exist.  After  a  moment's  reflection,  he  answered: 

"My  presence  is  necessary  here  among  my 
people.  Our  fort  is  not  yet  built,  and  our  houses 
are  incomplete,  and  I  dare  not  leave  at  present." 

"Has  my  white  brother  forgotten  his  promise?" 

"No,  but  I  dare  not  go.  My  duty  to  my 
people  demand  my  presence  here  for  several  months 
yet." 

Saturiova,  displeased  with  the  refusal,  set  out 
with  his  own  army  to  war.  His  campaign  was 
so  well  planned  that  he  succeeded  in  punishing  and 


70  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

humbling  his  enemy,  putting  many  to  the  sword, 
and  bringing  away  twenty -four  captives. 

When  Laudonniere  heard  of  the  victory  he 
determined  to  profit  by  it.  He  sent  to  Saturiova 
congratulating  him  on  his  victory  and  demanding 
two  of  his  prisoners  whom  he  designed  to  send 
back  to  Timagoa,  and  thus  gain  his  friendship. 
His  astonishment  can  be  imagined  better  than 
described  at  the  return  of  D'  Erlac  with  the 
information  that  Saturiova  absolutely  refused  to 
comply  with  his  demand. 

"Kef use  me !  Does  the  red  dog  dare  refuse  me?" 
cried  Laudonniere.  "I  will  humble  that  proud 
savage  or  run  him  through  with  my  sword." 

Summoning  forty  men  with  breast-plates,  hel 
mets,  matchlocks,  and  swords,  he  set  out  to  pay 
Saturiova  a  visit.  Reaching  his  cabin  he  left  his 
men  at  the  door,  and  entered  the  presence  of  the 
chief." 

"Where  are  your  prisoners?"  he  demanded. 

"What  right  has  my  white  brother  to  demand 
my  prisoners?  He  would  not  accompany  me  ac 
cording  to  promise,"  Saturiova  answered  indig 
nantly. 

"  I  have  come  for  the  prisoners, "  Laudonniere 
answered,  calmly  but  firmly,  "and  have  brought 
my  soldiers  with  swords  and  guns  to  enforce  my 
request.  Where  are  they?" 


SEEKING   HOMES   AND   PEACE.  71 

Saturiova  saw  the  cavalier  draw  his  glittering 
sword  from  its  sheath,  and  began  to  tremble. 

"  They  became  alarmed  at  the  approach,  of  the 
white  men,  and  fled  to  the  woods,"  he  answered. 

"  You  have  lied, "  thundered  Laudonniere.  Then 
he  ordered  a  search  to  be  made  for  them,  and  seized 
the  chief.  Two  prisoners  were  brought  and  turned 
over  to  them;  whom  Laudonniere  gave  in  charge 
of  D'  Erlac  and  L'Vascar  to  carry  to  Timagoa. 
This  occurred  the  20th  of  August,  1564,  and  on 
the  21st  a  most  terrible  hurricane  swept  over  the 
country,  leveling  forests  and  destroying  Indian 
cabins.  The  clouds  were  charged  with  thunder 
and  lightning,  and  slight  earthquake  shocks  shook 
the  country. 

The  French  were  frightened  as  well  as  the  In 
dians,  but  they  had  sufficient  presence  of  mind 
not  to  show  their  fear,  and  Laudonniere  shrewdly 
informed  the  savages  that  the  storm  was  sent  on 
account  of  their  stubborn  perverseness  in  refusing 
to  give  up  the  prisoners.  The  thunder  he  declared 
to  be  the  great  guns  of  his  angry  God. 

Saturiova  gave  up  all  the  prisoners,  fled  from 
his  domain,  and  it  was  two  months  before  he 
returned. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  D' Erlac  and  Vasseur 
set  out  with  the  captives  under  ten  men  and  a 
sergeant;  and,  having  delivered  up  their  charge  to 


72  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Timagoa,  thereby  winning  his  friendship,  proceeded 
according  to  instructions  from  Laudonni&re  to  the 
province  of  Outina,  the  powerful  cacique  who  was 
supposed  to  possess  full  knowledge  of  the  mountain 
of  gold.  His  residence  was  127  miles  from  Fort 
Carolina,  and  the  road  was  through  an  intermin 
able  wilderness  of  swamps  and  streams. 

Outina  joyfully  received  them,  and  as  he  was 
just  ready  to  set  out  on  an  expedition  against  his 
enemy  named  Potanou,  he  invited  D'Erlac  to 
accompany  him.  Thus  the  French,  despite  all  their 
shrewdness,  found  themselves  drawn  into  an 
Indian  quarrel.  It  would  not  do  to  offend  so 
powerful  a  chief  by  a  refusal,  and,  with  half  his 
escort,  D'  Erlac  consented  to  go,  sending  the  other 
half  back  to  Fort  Carolinia  for  instructions  as  to 
how  he  should  act  toward  this  chief. 

Outina's  army  was  small,  yet  with  the  six 
Frenchmen  armed  with  those  terrible  guns,  he 
hoped  to  defeat  his  powerful  enemy.  On  the 
second  day's  march,  they  came  upon  a  plain  where 
they  found  the  army  of  Potanou  drawn  up  in  battle 
array.  They  so  greatly  outnumbered  the  forces  of 
Outina  that  he  was  quite  in  despair. 

"We  cannot  fight  against  such  odds,"  said  the 
chief  to  D'Erlac.  "We  shall  be  forced  to  fly  for 
our  lives." 

"Have  no  fears,"  said  D'Erlac.     "I  will  save 


SEEKING    HOMES   AND    PEACE.  73 

you.  Can  you  make  out  the  person  of  Pota- 
nou?" 

"Yes." 

"Which  is  he?" 

"The  large  chief  with  red  and  green  feathers, 
and  a  mantle  on  his  arm." 

D'Erlac  asked  no  more,  for  the  princely  bearing 
and  dignity  of  the  chief  told  him  who  he  was. 

The  smoke  issuing  from  the  match-cord  indi 
cated  that  the  match  was  lighted.  D'Erlac  drew  up 
the  Indians  in  battle  array,  placed  his  men  with 
matchlocks  ready  to  pour  in  a  volley  at  a  given 
signal,  and  advanced  a  few  paces.  Unfastening  the 
rod  under  the  barrel  of  his  gun,  he  set  the  rest. 
Then  he  carefully  blew  the  match  to  free  it  of 
dead  ashes,  and  opened  the  pan.  The  Indians  on 
both  sides  stood  gazing  on  this  strange  ceremony 
with  amazement,  not  comprehending  what  it  meant. 
Even  Potanou,  at  whose  breast  the  gun  was  aimed, 
was  as  much  lost  in  wonder  as  the  others.  There 
was  a  flash,  a  stunning  report,  and  the  chief  fell, 
shot  through  the  heart.  A  moment  later  a  rattling 
crash  of  fire-arms  from  the  other  Frenchmen  put 
the  savages  to  flight,  and  Outina  pursued  them  with 
great  slaughter. 

Soon  after  this  signal  victory,  D'Erlac  was 
recalled  to  Fort  Carolinia  by  Laudonniere,  who  was 
displeased  at  his  taking  any  part  in  the  war 


74  .SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

between  Outina  and  Potanou,   especially  as  they 
were  having  some  internal  trouble  in  the  colony. 

Thus  we  find  the  persecuted  who  had  come  to 
the  New  World  to  find  homes  and  peace,  plunged 
by  their  own  violence  into  strife  which  was  to 
grow  more  and  more  bitter  until  their  old  enemy 
should  come  and  sweep  them  from  the  face  of  the 
earth. 


CHAPTER  V. 

FROM   SAINTS   TO    PIRATES. 

UNDER  certain  circumstances  it  is  an  easy  matter 
to  change  men  from  saints  to  devils.  A  single 
mischief-breeding  person  may  ruin  a  community 
of  people  who  otherwise  would  have  lived  in  peace 
and  respectability.  John  Gyrot  soon  became  the 
evil  genius  of  the  colony.  As  he  grew  older,  he 
became  more  cunning  and  more  mischievous.  He 
soon  learned  that  discontent  existed  among  the 
volunteers  of  the  expedition,  who  were  gentlemen 
and  totally  unfit  for  this  service.  They  com 
plained  that  they  were  not  as  well  treated  as  laborers ; 
nor  did  they  deserve  to  be,  for  they  were  worth 
little  or  nothing  to  the  community.  They  were 
consumers  without  producing  and  were  useless. 
Laudonniere  was  not  slow  to  understand  that  the 
life  and  vitality  of  the  colony  depended  on  the 
laborers  and  men  who  were  willing  to  till  the  soil, 
and  consequently  he  was  not  slow  to  show  his 
favor  to  them.  Secretly  circulating  among  the 
idlers,  Gyrot  sought  to  augment  rather  than  allay 

75 


76  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

the  difficulties.  He  was  cunning  enough  to  keep 
himself  well  in  the  background,  so  as  not  to  bring 
censure  upon  himself.  Matters  had  reached  a 
high  state  of  discontent  when  Laudonni&re  ordered 
D'Erlac,  in  whom  he  had  the  greatest  confidence, 
home.  One  cause  of  dissatisfaction  in  the  colony 
was  lack  of  a  clergyman  to  perform  divine  service; 
but  their  greatest  grievance  was  a  dearth  of  provi 
sions  and  a  near  prospect  of  famine. 

"  Why  longer  stay  in  this  wilderness  and  starve," 
urged  John  Gyrot  to  a  band  of  secret  conspirators. 
"Let  us  put  Laudonniere  out  of  the  way  and 
return  to  France,  or  put  ourselves  in  charge  of 
the  colony." 

It  was  Gyrot' s  plan  either  to  destroy  the  colony 
or  to  get  his  friends  in  control  before  the  arrival  of 
Hortense  De  Barre. 

The  seeds  of  dissension  once  sown  took  root  and 
brought  forth  fruit  in  a  well-laid  conspiracy  to 
take  the  life  of  Laudonniere.  One  of  the  con 
spirators  was  discovered  and  hanged,  and  Laudon 
niere  ordered  a  ship-load  of  malcontents  to  be  sent 
to  France.  As  they  were  going  aboard  the  vessel, 
the  commandant  approached  Gyrot. 

"You  can  return,  also,"  he  said. 

"I  return,  monsieur?"  cried  Gyrot  in  well- 
feigned  surprise.  "  I  am  the  most  faithful  of  the 
colonists,  why  should  I  return?" 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES.  77 

"Do  you  not  wish  to  go  to  France?" 

"I  do  not,  monsieur." 

"Then  complain  no  more  of  the  country  and 
your  usage." 

"  I  beg  the  monsieur's  pardon — there  is  some 
mistake,  for  I  have  made  no  complaint.  I  am  the 
commandant's  warmest  friend.  I  love  the  colony. " 

The  hypocritical  pretenses  of  John  Gyrot  so 
deceived  Laudonniere  that  when  he  dispatched 
some  of  the  malcontents,  who  still  remained,  under 
Eoche  Ferriere  to  complete  the  discovery  of 
Outina's  canton,  the  wily  Gyrot  was  left  behind 
with  Ottigny  andD'Erlacas  a  personal  body-guard 
of  the  commandant. 

One  day  John  Gyrot  came  upon  three  of  the 
discontented  gentlemen  in  a  building  where  they 
had  met  to  brood  over  their  hard  fate.  They  were 
Stephen,  a  Genevois,  Des  Fourneaux,  andLaCroix, 
Frenchmen. 

"Why  do  you  linger  here  in  this  poor  country, " 
said  Gyrot,  "where  starvation  must  ultimately 
sweep  us  all  off  the  earth.  There  is  a  golden 
conquest  open  for  us." 

"Where?"  asked  the  malcontents. 

"  Every  ship  leaving  the  West  Indies  is  laden 
with  gold  and  precious  stones.  The  Spaniards 
are  Catholics  and  make  war  on  Protestants.  France 
is  almost  on  the  point  of  war  with  Spain.  We 


78  8AJNT  AUGUSTINE. 

have  ships,  guns,  and  brave  men,  why  not  sail  to 
the  West  Indies  and  there  reap  our  fortune? 
There  are  heaps  and  mountains  of  gold  already 
dug  and  refined,  without  our  risking  our  lives  and 
health  here  in  the  wilderness." 

In  those  three  Gyrot  found  eager  listeners  to  his 
plan,  and  he  continued  in  the  same  strain  to  point 
out  the  cruelty  of  the  Spaniards  toward  the  natives, 
whom  they  had  slain  by  millions,  while  millions 
more  were  suffering  in  bondage.  Would  they  not 
be  wholly  justified  in  thus  seeking  revenge. 

The  words  of  Gyrot  sank  deep  into  the  minds  of 
his  hearers.  Vengeance  is  always  sweet,  but  when 
seasoned  with  a  golden  reward  it  becomes  irresist 
ible.  After  a  few  moments,  Des  Fourneaux  said: 

"I  will  go  if  we  can  get  men  to  join  us." 

"You  can,"  continued  Gyrot.  "But  mention 
the  matter  to  the  men  and  you  will  have  all  the 
followers  you  desire.  Besides,  we  can  prevail  on 
Laudonne'ire  to  sign  a  commission  for  our  cruising 
upon  the  Spaniards  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico." 

The  plan  was  agreed  upon,  and  while  Gyrot 
seemed  loyal  to  Laudonniere,  he  was  kept  posted 
on  all  the  movements  of  the  mutineers.  Stephens, 
Des  Fourneaux,  and  La  Croix  were  desperate  men, 
and  the  idea  of  piracy  being  more  acceptable  to 
them  than  a  life  of  hardship  and  trial,  they  gathered 
about  them  sixty  soldiers  and  sailors,  the  worst 


JOHN     GTROT     BETRAYING     LAUDONNIER     TO     THE     PIRATES. 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES.  79 

in  the  colony,  and  proceeded  to  lay  their  plans  for 
plundering  the  Spanish. 

At  this  time  Laudoimiere  was  ill  from  a  fever 
contracted  in  the  swamps,  and  unable  to  leave  his 
bed.  Gyrot,  by  skillful  manipulations,  became  his 
only  attendant,  and  Ottigny  and  D'Erlac  were 
sent  away.  It  was  night  and  the  cabin  of  Laudon- 
ni&re  was  dimly  lighted  with  a  single  wax  taper. 
Gyrot  was  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick  commandant, 
when  the  tramping  of  feet  without  reached  their 
ears.  Laudonni&re  was  alarmed  at 'the  sounds. 

"See  who  approaches,  Monsieur  Gyrot,"  he 
exclaimed. 

Glancing  from  the  door,  Gyrot,  in  feigned 
alarm,  answered: 

"Messieurs  Stephens,  Des  Fourneaux,  and  La 
Croix,  with  a  large  party  of  armed  men." 

"  It  is  a  conspiracy,  Gyrot.  I  feared  as  much. 
Draw  your  sword  and  we  will  defend  our  lives." 
Ill  as  he  was,  Laudonniere  leaped  from  his  bed 
and  seized  his  sword.  It  had  been  arranged  that 
Gyrot  should  make  a  show  of  defence,  but  both 
were  speedily  disarmed  and  Laudonniere  plundered 
of  all  his  effects.  He  was  then  carried  on  board 
a  vessel  lying  in  the  river  and  ordered  to  sign  the 
commission  for  them  to  cruise  against  the  Spanish. 

"I  cannot,"  said  the  commandant.  "Such  an 
act  would  be  piracy." 


80  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"They  make  war  on  Protestants,"  argued  Des 
Fourneaux,  "  and  we  intend  to  make  war  on  them. 
Sign  the  commission." 

"I  will  not." 

"Sign  or  die."  Des  Fourneaux  held  a  dagger 
at  his  throat  threatening  his  life  if  he  did  not 
sign  the  commission.  Laudonniere  seized  the 
pen. 

"Bear  witness  that  I  do  this  under  duress,"  he 
said.  He  then  signed  the  document  and,  handing 
it  to  them,  added,  "  Take  it,  it  is  your  death  war 
rant  that  I  have  signed." 

They  went  away,  and,  according  to  arrange 
ments,  took  John  Gyrot  with  them.  They  em 
barked  on  board  the  two  new  vessels,  and  set  sail 
on  the  8th  of  December,  intending  to  plunder 
Yaguana. 

Before  they  left  the  river  May,  they  disputed 
among  themselves,  and  the  two  vessels  separated, 
one  steering  for  the  isle  of  Cuba,  and  the  other, 
which  was  never  heard  from,  for  the  Lucayan 
islands.  The  vessel  steering  for  Cuba  chose 
D' Granger  captain,  and  a  bolder,  more  cruel  pirate 
could  not  have  been  selected. 

The  crew  was  now  fairly  embarked  on  their  ter 
rible  career.  In  those  days  the  Spaniards  were 
themselves  little  better  than  robbers.  Cortez  and 
Pizarro  were  licensed  pirates  who  operated  on  a 


FROM  SAINTS    TO    PIRATES.  81 

grand  scale,  so  these  Frenchmen  found  an  excuse 
for  retaliating  on  them. 

On  the  fifth  day  after  leaving  the  river  May,  the 
look-out  at  the  masthead  discovered  a  sail.  The 
announcement  caused  no  little  speculation  on  board 
the  pirate  ship.  D' Granger,  coming  up  from 
below,  mounted  the  rigging  and  with  his  glass 
swept  the  waters.  At  first  the  stranger  was  so  far 
away  they  could  not  make  her  out;  but  changing 
their  course  they  bore  down  upon  her.  The  pirates 
crowded  the  deck  in  order  to  get  a  better  view  of 
her,  and  the  air  was  full  of  speculations.  At  last 
the  look-out  from  the  masthead  hailed  the  captain 
on  deck  with  the  joyful  announcement: 

"I  have  her  nationality." 

"What  is  she?"  D'Oranger  asked. 

"  A  Spanish  brigantine,  headed  for  Cuba  or  San 
Domingo." 

The  shout  of  joy  which  went  up  from  the  deck 
was  somewhat  checked  by  D'  Granger,  who  said: 

"Ships  from  Spain  do  not  carry  gold." 

"  But  this  vessel  may  have  provisions  on  board, 
which  are  much  more  acceptable  to  starving  men," 
Des  Fourneaux  answered. 

They  crowded  all  sail,  and  the  Spanish  ship,  not 

realizing  her  danger,  held  steadily  on  her  course. 

The  lombards  or  cannon  in  the  forward  deck  were 

gotten  in  readiness,  and  the  men  armed  with  battle 

6 


82  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

axes,  pikes,  and  matchlocks.  They  bore  down 
to  within  three-fourths  of  a  mile  of  the  brigantine, 
and,  firing  a  gun,  hoisted  the  French  ensign. 

The  brigan tine's  people  were  amazed  and 
alarmed.  They  seemed  not  to  think  of  resistance  so 
much  as  flight.  The  vessel  was  put  about  on  her 
best  sailing  point  and  sped  away  with  every  stitch 
of  canvas  she  was  able  to  carry,  while  the  deter 
mined  Frenchmen  pressed  on  in  pursuit. 

Francisco  Estevan  was  aboard  the  Spanish 
brigantine.  He  was  on  his  return  to  Cuba,  sum 
moned  by  the  sudden  illness  of  his  mother.  Fran 
cisco  had  not  yet  entered  the  order  of  the  priest 
hood,  and  was  only  a  pale,  thoughtful  student,  on 
whose  face  there  seemed  to  rest  the  shadow  of  a 
great  sorrow,  which  prayers  and  tears  failed  to 
relieve.  This  shadow  had  followed  him  since  his 
abrupt  departure  from  Beaucarre.  The  sweet  face, 
golden  hair,  and  blue  eyes  of  the  fair  Huguenot  con 
tinually  haunted  him.  His  ancient  traditions, 
superstitions,  even  the  sacredness  of  his  intended 
calling  could  not  overcome  the  spell  produced  by 
this  sweet  Christian  spirit.  Her  resignation  touched 
his  soul  and  at  times  he  almost  thought,  down  deep 
in  his  heart,  that  the  persecution  of  her  family 
was  the  work  of  the  devil. 

For  one  reason  or  another  Francisco  had  failed 
to  be  ordained,  until  we  find  him  on  his  way  home 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES.  83 

without  having  taken  the  preliminary  steps  toward 
donning  the  sacerdotal  robe.  He  took  passage 
at  Seville,  and,  so  far,  the  voyage  had  been  pros 
perous.  The  brigantine,  in  addition  to  a  goodly 
cargo  of  wine,  provisions,  and  cloth  goods  for  the 
West  India  trade,  had  a  number  of  passengers, 
men,  women,  and  children,  aboard. 

Francisco  was  in  the  forward  part  of  the  ship 
when  the  pursuer  was  discovered.  There  was 
much  speculation  as  to  her  strange  conduct;  but  no 
serious  fears  were  entertained  until  a  wreath  of 
white  smoke  curled  up  from  her  forecastle  and  a 
ball  came  skipping  over  the  water,  accompanied  by 
the  distant  boom  of  a  cannon.  As  the  fine  spray 
clipped  from  the  crested  waves  by  the  round 
shot  flew  over  the  deck,  the  captain  of  the  brigan 
tine  became  fully  aroused  to  the  danger  of  his 
situation.  He  displayed  the  Spanish  flag,  put  his 
vessel  about,  and  bore  away  as  we  have  stated  with 
every  stitch  of  canvas  spread.  Francisco,  who 
had  been  dreaming  his  day-dream,  in  which  were 
blue  eyes,  golden  hair,  and  a  fair  face,  turned  from 
the  forward  deck  and  hurried  aft  to  see  if  they 
would  be  pursued. 

"What  does  it  mean,  captain?"  he  asked. 

"We  are  chased  by  a  pirate,"  was  the  answer. 

"  Can  we  escape  her?" 

"She  gains  on  us." 


84  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Francisco  became  fully  aroused  to  their  danger, 
and  the  spirit  of  the  warrior,  so  natural  in  him, 
began  to  assert  itself.  He  insisted  that  they  arm 
themselves  and  beat  off  the  pirate;  but,  alas!  they 
were  deficient  in  both  arms  and  courage.  While 
still  discussing  the  trying  situation,  another  puff  of 
smoke  issued  from  the  forecastle  of  the  pursuer, 
and  there  came  a  loud  crash  as  an  iron  ball  struck 
the  stern,  coming  through  to  the  poop  deck,  and, 
spinning  half-way  across,  struck  a  coil  of  rope  and 
rolled  along  the  deck. 

The  passengers  and  most  of  the  crew  were  wild 
with  fear,  uttering  the  most  piteous  cries  and 
prayers.  Finding  escape  impossible,  the. captain 
caused  his  ship  to  heave  to  and  struck  his  colors. 
The  Frenchmen  came  boldly  alongside,  and 
D' Granger,  Des  Fourneaux,  La  Croix,  Stephens, 
John  Gyrot,  and  their  grim  followers,  with  swords 
in  hand,  poured  over  the  side  of  the  prize.  Fran 
cisco  Estevan,  who  stood  on  the  high  poop  deck  bit 
ing  his  lips  with  indignation  at  this  humiliating  sur 
render,  started  with  a  cry  of  astonishment  on  dis 
covering  John  Gyrot  among  his  captors. 

"I  need  expect  no  mercy  now, "  the  young  Span 
iard  thought. 

The  male  prisoners  were  driven  forward,  and 
their  hands  tied  behind  their  backs,  while  the 
women  and  children  were  sent  below.  Then  the 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES.  85 

pirates  began  plundering  the  ship  of  its  valuables. 
D' Granger  prudently  placed  a  guard  over  the 
liquors,  and  permitted  only  a  limited  amount  to 
be  issued  to  his  men.  Then  followed  a  long  con 
sultation  as  to  what  should  be  done  with  the  pris 
oners.  The  sun  went  down,  the  moon  rose,  and 
night  had  resumed  her  sway  before  the  question 
was  decided. 

Francisco  Estevan  stood  in  the  forecastle,  his 
hands  tied  behind  his  back  gazing  at  the  broad 
faced,  friendly  moon  riding  peacefully  in  the 
heavens,  and  asked  himself  how  it  was  all  to  end. 
Would  he  live  to  see  the  dawn  of  another  day,  or 
would  those  dark  monsters  put  an  end  to  his 
sufferings  that  night?  Mingled  with  the  sad 
recollections  of  the  past  and  the  gloomy  reflections 
of  the  present,  was  the  sweet  face  of  the  pretty 
Huguenot,  which  he  could  not  banish  from  his 
memory.  He  was  standing,  gloomy  and  silent, 
among  the  other  prisoners,  when  John  Gyrot 
approached  him. 

"Monsieur  Estevan,  the  priest,  did  you  think 
I  would  not  know  you?" 

Francisco  glanced  at  the  ugly  face  surmounted  by 
a  mass  of  black  hair,  but  made  no  answer.  With 
a  gleam  of  satisfaction  on  his  diabolical  features, 
Gyrot  added: 

"Monsieur  does  not  seem  happy." 


86  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"No,  the  sight  of  a  reptile  is  not  inspiring." 

"Monsieur  is  not  complimentary;  but,  consider 
ing  his  present  condition,  I  will  overlook  what  he 
says.  Why  did  he  so  suddenly  leave  Beaucarre?" 

"I  had  no  wish  to  stay  longer." 

"  Monsieur  found  the  society  of  the  Huguenot, 
Mademoiselle  De  Barre,  delightful." 

There  was  such  a  tantalizing  tone  in  the  ironical 
words  of  the  Frenchman  that  the  blood  of  the 
Spaniard  was  fired  and  had  he  been  free  he  would 
have  struck  him. 

"Don't  breathe  her  name — hypocrite — you  are 
not  worthy!  "  gasped  Francisco. 

With  a  low,  disagreeable  chuckle,  which,  like  his 
speech,  seemed  choked  in  the  throat  of  the  pirate, 
Gyrot  turned  away  and  left  the  prisoner. 

The  forlorn  group  of  captives  silently  wondered 
what  would  be  their  fate.  The  moon  now  riding 
high  in  the  heavens,  flooded  the  sea  with  peaceful 
light.  The  captors  were  busy  arranging  some 
thing,  and  it  was  several  moments  before  the  cap 
tives  could  comprehend  their  designs.  They 
brought  a  broad  plank,  and,  placing  one  end  of 
it  over  the  side  of  the  vessel,  lashed  the  other  end 
firmly  to  the  bulwark.  When  the  prisoners  realized 
their  fate  a  storm  of  wails  and  groans  went  up 
from  them.  Some  even  fell  on  their  knees  and 
implored  their  captors  to  spare  their  lives;  but  the 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES.  87 

Frenchmen,  without  heeding  their  entreaties,  went 
coolly  about  their  abominable  work.  When  the 
board  had  been  made  steady,  D' Granger  directed 
his  men  to  bring  a  prisoner,  and  Stephens  and  La 
Croix  seized  the  trembling  master  of  the  prize  and 
dragged  the  wretched  Spaniard  to  the  plank. 

"Place  him  on  it." 

The  prisoner  struggled,  and  they  had  to  prick 
him  with  the  points  of  their  swords  to  drive  him 
forward.  His  hands  were  securely  tied  behind  his 
back,  and  in  this  manner  he  was  made  to  walk  to 
the  end  of  the  board  and  jump  off  into  the  sea,  his 
drowning  screams  piercing  the  ears  of  his  wretched 
companions  like  a  knife. 

"Bring  on  another,"  commanded  the  pirate 
captain. 

A  second  one  was  brought  and,  after  a  desperate 
struggle,  placed  on  the  board.  He  implored  and 
prayed  to  be  spared,  but  was  unrelentingly  pushed 
forward  at  the  points  of  their  swords,  until  he  bled 
from  a  score  of  wounds.  Goaded  to  madness,  he 
rushed  forward  and  plunged  into  the  sea,  never  to 
rise.  Thus  the  horrible  work  went  on.  One  by 
one  the  cries  and  supplications  of  the  captives 
were  hushed  as  their  numbers  grew  less.  Without 
a  murmur,  Francisco  Estevan  awaited  his  sum 
mons  to  death.  He  strove  in  vain  to  burst  the 
cords  which  bound  his  wrists,  determined  to  sell 


88  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

his  life    like  a  soldier;    but    no  human  strength 


'••  unaided    could 
burst     those 
^  cords.     At  last 

a  pirate  seized  his  shoulder. 
"  Monsieur,     your     time 
has  come,"  he  said.      Fran 
cisco   made    no    resistance, 
"'WALK!'  YELLED  THE  ..  .    ,    ,.,  ,     ,,     , 

PIRATES  AT  LAST."         and  was  led  like  a  bullock 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES.  89 

to  the  slaughter.  There  was  a  short  ladder  lead 
ing  to  the  board. 

"Mount!"  cried  D' Granger. 

La  Croix  and  Stephens,  with  drawn  swords,  stood 
ready  to  drive  him  to  his  fate.  Turning  on  the 
pirate  crew  a  calm  look,  the  young  Spaniard  said: 
"You  will  receive  your  reward  for  this  work." 
Then  he  mounted  the  ladder. 

On  the  fatal  plank,  he  paused  a  moment  to  mur 
mur  a  last  prayer  and  close  his  eyes  forever  on  the 
world.  The  Frenchmen  realized  by  his  proud,  de 
fiant  manner  that  he  was  superior  to  ordinary  vic 
tims,  and  he  was  given  a  few  moments  to  pray.  It 
was  an  age  of  heartless  cruelty,  and  yet  even  the 
pirates  believed  in  prayer. 

"Walk!  or  we  will  push  you  from  the  board!" 
yelled  the  pirates  at  last. 

Taking  one  step,  Francisco  paused,  and,  with 
his  eyes  raised  toward  heaven,  cried: 

"Hortense!" 

At  this  moment  some  one  ran  forward  from  the 
after  part  of  the  ship. 

"Hold!  Captain  D'Oranger,  that  prisoner  must 
be  spared." 

Francisco  very  naturally  turned  his  eyes  toward 
the  speaker,  and  to  his  amazement  discovered  that 
it  was  John  Gryrot,  his  enemy. 

"Monsieur  Gyrot,  have  you  lost  your  senses?" 


90  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

asked  D'Oranger.  "Dead  men  tell  no  tales,  and  if 
we  put  them  all  to  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  we  shall 
have  nothing  to  fear." 

"I  claim  the  prisoner  for  myself.  He  has  just 
spoken  a  name  which  reveals  a  secret." 

Though  all  had  heard  the  name  "Hortense," 
none  could  understand  its  import. 

"Is  it  your  design  to  give  the  prisoner  his 
liberty?"  asked  D'Oranger. 

"No,  I  reserve  him  for  a  greater  punishment 
than  you  could  inflict." 

The  wicked  eyes  of  John  Gyrot,  gleaming  with 
hate,  bore  evidence  to  the  truth  of  his  assertion. 
He  addressed  a  few  words  in  an  undertone  to 
D'Oranger  and  La  Croix,  and  the  prisoner  was 
taken  from  the  board.  This  interruption  had 
caused  a  little  flurry  of  excitement  among  the 
pirates.  Estevan  was  hurried  aboard  the  French 
vessel,  was  strongly  ironed  and  thrust  into  the  hold. 

"  The  monsieur  can  thank  me  for  his  deliver 
ance,"  said  Gyrot,  putting  his  ugly  face  in  at  the 
door. 

Francisco  made  no  answer,  and,  with  a  mocking 
jest  about  the  ingratitude  of  some  people,  Gyrot 
left  him.  Francisco  in  his  gloomy  prison  passed 
a  miserable  night,  and  sometimes  he  almost  wished 
he  had  been  plunged  into  the  sea  with  the  others. 
At  intervals  throughout  the  night  he  imagined  he 


FROM  SAINTS    TO   PIRATES. 


01 


could  hear  the  shriek  and  splash  as  some  unfor 
tunate  was  driven  from  the  plank  into  the  sea. 
Before  long  other  sounds  reached  his  ears — the 
sounds  of  transferring  the  cargo  to  the  pirate  ship. 
Dawn  came.  The  worn-out  prisoner  had  just 
sunk  into  a  light  slumber,  when  he  was  startled  by 
the  distant  boom  of  a  cannon  and  the  hurried  tramp 
of  feet  above.  He  sat  up  and  listened.  Above, 
everything  seemed  in  a  state  of  confusion,  and  he 
rightly  conjectured  that  a  Spanish  man-of-war  was 
about  to  attack  the  pirate.  The  prisoner  began 
to  hope. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

IN    FLORIDA. 

THE  anxiety  of  Francisco  Estevan  at  that 
moment  was  indescribable.  At  one  time  he 
thought  the  pursuer  of  the  pirate  must  be  near;  but 
the  next  boom  of  the  cannon  assured  him  she  was 
falling  astern.  In  his  dungeon  he  could  form  no 
opinion  save  by  sounds  and  the  motion  of  the  ves 
sel.  By  the  creaking  of  cordage  above  and  the 
plunging  motion  of  the  ship,  he  knew  the  pirate 
was  under  way. 

How  was  all  this  to  end,  and  what  was  to  be  his 
fate?  he  asked  himself.  Gyrot  had  not  reserved 
him  for  any  humane  motive;  but  his  fate  could 
not  be  more  terrible  than  the  one  from  which  his 
enemy  had  snatched  him.  In  his  imagination  he 
could  see  the  bones  of  his  former  companions  im 
bedded  among  the  sea- weeds,  the  crabs  crawling 
through  their  fleshless  ribs,  the  fishes  eating  out 
their  eyes,  while  the  eternal  tides  rolled  them 
hither  and  thither  giving  no  rest. 

With  such  horrifying  pictures  he  fed  his  fancy 
93 


IN  FLORIDA. 


93 


as  time  wore  on  and  all  signs  of  pursuit  died 
away.  At  last  some  one  came  down  the  companion 
ladder;  lie  had  not  been  forgotten  after  all. 

A  lantern  shone  in  his  face  and  by  the  rays  he 
recognized  Gyrot. 

"Has  the  monsieur  enjoyed  himself?"  Gyrot 
asked  with  a  hypocritical  smile. 

"Were  we  pursued?"  Francisco  asked. 

"Yes." 

"Does  the  pursuer  gain  on  us?" 

"No,  monsieur,  I  am  happy  to  inform  you  that 
the  man-of-war  has  fallen  too  far  astern  for  us  to 
suffer  any  uneasiness  from  her.  I  came  to  bring 
the  monsieur  to  the  deck." 

Gyrot  waited  as  if  expecting  some  expression  of 
gratitude  from  the  prisoner;  but  Francisco  was 
silent. 

"Does  the  monsieur  care  to  go  on  deck?"  he 
asked. 

"I  do  not  care  to  remain  in  the  dark,  musty 
hold  of  the  ship,"  Francisco  answered.  "You 
need  not  fear  me  escaping,  as  I  am  only  one 
against  many.  Can  you  remove  these  irons?" 

"Yes,  monsieur;  I  beg  pardon  for  not  having 
noticed  them  before.  I  shall  be  very  happy  to 
give  the  monsieur  his  liberty."  There  was  some 
thing  hypocritical  in  the  soft  easy  tones  of  Gyrot. 
Estevan  shuddered  at  the  cold  touch  of  his  hands. 


94  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Gyrot's  face  was  habitually  pale,  his  hands  cold 
and  clammy,  and  his  manner  that  of  a  vampire.  He 
had  no  virtue  save  persistency,  knew  no  art  save 
cunning,  and  worshipped  no  God  save  selfish 
desire. 

Never  did  one  man  hate  another  more  than  John 
Gyrot  hated  Estevan;  yet  his  deceitful  nature 
evinced  a  hypocritical  affection  for  the  man  he 
hated,  for  he  could  be  nothing  if  not  a  hollow  sham. 
Gyrot  could  not  even  hate  as  other  men  did.  He 
removed  the  shackles,  and  Francisco  followed  him 
to  the  deck,  where  he  gazed  about  over  the  water 
to  see  if  the  pursuer  were  in  sight.  Far  in  their 
wake  a  speck  could  be  seen  on  the  horizon,  which 
was  doubtless-  the  man-of-war.  A  fourth  of  a 
mile  on  their  larboard  was  the  prize,  aboard 
which  was  D' Granger  and  a  part  of  the  French 
crew. 

Des  Fourneaux  was  in  command  of  the  pirate. 

The  Frenchmen  were  quiet  and  orderly,  yet 
desperate.  Francisco  very  much  wished  to  know 
the  fate  of  the  others  of  his  ship,  especially  the 
women  and  children,  but  he  dared  not  ask. 
Though  he  was  given  the  freedom  of  the  deck,  he 
observed  that  he  was  closely  watched. 

Des  Fourneaux  at  last  approached  him,  and,  with 
the  politeness  characteristic  of  his  nation,  asked: 

"Does  monsieur  speak  French?" 


IN  FLORIDA.  95 

"I  do,"  the  prisoner  answered. 

"Very  good;  we  shall  get  along  better;  how  is 
monsieur?" 

"  As  well  as  a  captive  whose  fate  is  unknown 
can  be." 

"Where  was  monsieur  bound?" 

"Cuba." 

"Is  monsieur  a  priest?" 

"No;  I  am  a  student. " 

"To  become  a  priest?" 

"Who  informed  you?" 

"Monsieur  Gyrot  met  you  at  Beaucarre? " 

"Gyrot  is  correct — we  met  at  Beaucarre." 

"Monsieur  is  then  a  priest?" 

Francisco  shook  his  head. 

"No;  I  have  not  yet  taken  the  vows.  Senor, 
may  I  ask  you  what  my  fate  is  to  be?" 

For  a  moment  there  was  a  troubled  expression 
on  the  Frenchman's  face;  then  he  evasively 
answered: 

"Monsieur  Gyrot,  your  friend,  saves  you." 

Estevan  knew  that  the  friendship  of  Gyrot  was 
mockery,  and  the  information  he  received  did  not 
tend  in  the  least  to  elevate  his  spirits.  The  day 
passed  without  any  incident  worthy  of  mention. 
Evening  came  and  Francisco  was  alone  in  the  fore 
castle  when  he  noticed  a  man  approaching  him.  It 
was  too  dark  to  make  out  his  features,  and  at  first 


96  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

he  thought  it  was  Gyrot;  but  as  the  man  drew 
nearer,  he  discovered  that  it  was  not  Gyrot.  He 
came  quite  close  to  Estevan,  glancing  carefully 
about  as  if  he  did  not  wish  to  be  seen.  When  at 
the  Spaniard's  side  he  said  in  an  undertone: 

"Does  monsieur  speak  French?" 

This  was  twice  he  had  been  asked  if  he  spoke 
French. 

"I  do,"  he  answered. 

" Don't  be  discouraged,  monsieur.  I  may  be 
able  to  save  you. " 

"Who  are  you?"  Francisco  asked. 

"  Trenchant,  the  pilot  of  this  unfortunate  expe 
dition." 

"Then  you,  too,  are  a  pirate." 

"Not  of  my  own  free  will." 

"Did  you  come  from  Florida?" 

"I  did,  monsieur.  We  are  a  part  of  the  colony 
planted  there  by  Laudonniere.  These  pirates  are 
made  up  of  soldiers  and  adventurers  who  should 
never  have  been  permitted  to  go  to  the  New 
World.  They  robbed  Laudonniere,  and,  with  a 
dagger  at  his  throat,  forced  him  to  sign  a  commis 
sion  to  cruise  against  the  Spaniards.  I  was  forced 
to  come;  but,  as  soon  as  I  can,  I  am  going  to  run 
away  and  return  to  Florida." 

"You  took  no  part  in  the  terrible  work  last 
night?" 


IN  FLORIDA.  97 

"No,  monsieur,  God  forbid  I  should  do  any 
thing  so  monstrous!  We  must  not  talk  longer, 
monsieur,  or  I  may  be  discovered,  for  I  also  am  a 
prisoner." 

Francisco,  realizing  that  he  had  met  a  friend, 
grasped  his  hand. 

"  One  word,   senor,   before  you  go.     Will  you 

help  me  to  es 
cape?" 


"  I  will  aid  you  with 
my  life  if  need  be, 
monsieur."  ,, l  WILL  AID  YOU  WITH  My 

"Are  you  a  Catho-  LIFE." 

lie?" 

"No,  a  Huguenot;  but  what  does  it  matter,  if 
one  be  honest  and  of  the  same  great  family.  We 
worship  the  same  God,  though  we  have  different 
creeds.  We  are  menaced  by  a  common  danger; 
let  us  be  brothers." 

"We  will!" 

Estevan  warmly  embraced  the  Huguenot,  and, 
7 


98  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

strange  to  say,  realized  the  joy  of  an  approving  con 
science  in  accepting  the  friendship  of  even  a  heretic. 

"Answer  a  few  questions,  and  we  will  separate." 

"What  are  they?"  I  shall  keep  back  nothing," 
said  Trenchant. 

"Do  you  know  whither  we  are  bound?" 

"We  are  steering  toward  the  western  port  of 
Hispaniola,  where  they  intend  to  careen  the  prize 
as  she  is  leaking." 

"Where  will  they  then  go?" 

"Probably  to  Cuba." 

"When  they  touch  at  Cuba,  we  will  escape." 

"Would  not  my  escape  be  like  leaping  from 
the  frying-pan  into  the  fire?" 

"Why?" 

"  I  would  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards, 
who  would  burn  me  as  a  Huguenot  or  hang  me  as  a 
pirate." 

"No,  no,"  Estevan  quickly  replied.  "My 
father  has  great  influence  with  the  governor  of 
Cuba.  You  need  have  no  fear  of  harm. " 

Trenchant  said  he  must  go,  and  the  young  men 
separated.  The  pirates  reached  the  western  port 
of  Hispaniola,  where  in  a  harbor  near  Yaguana  they 
careened  their  leaky  prize,  and,  after  scraping  and 
recaulking  it,  steered  toward  Baracoa  in  the  island 
of  Cuba,  where  they  captured  a  richly  laden  Span 
ish  caravel  of  fifty  or  sixty  tons  burthen.  The 


IN  FLORIDA.  99 

pirates  inspired  the  West  Indies  with  dread,  and 
commerce,  which  had  already  become  considerable 
in  this  part  of  the  New  World,  was  greatly  crippled. 
The  pirates  held  toward  Hispaniola,  and  near 
Cape  Tiberane  took  a  patache  richly  laden,  on 
board  of  which  was  the  governor  of  Jamaica, 
which  island  was  then  in  possession  of  the  Span 
iards.  Two  of  the  governor's  sons  were  also  made 
captives. 

D' Granger,  as  bold  and  enterprising  as  the  buc 
caneers  who  followed  him  a  century  later,  retained 
the  prisoners  on  board  his  prize  and  demanded  a 
ransom  for  them.  The  shrewd  governor  deter 
mined  to  outwit  the  pirate,  and  the  amount  of  the 
ransom  was  agreed  upon,  and  the  pirates,  with 
two  vessels,  stood  over  toward  Jamaica. 

Francisco  Estevan  was  retained  on  the  French 
ship  and  not  permitted  to  communicate  with  the 
governor.  D' Granger,  with  a  part  of  the  pirates, 
had  the  governor  on  board  the  patache. 

The  governor  wrote  a  letter  to  his  wife  asking 
her  to  send  by  his  eldest  son,  who  was  to  be  the 
bearer  of  the  message,  the  amount  of  gold  required 
for  his  ransom,  and  showing  it  to  D' Granger  asked: 

"Will  that  do,  senor?" 

"  It  will,  and  when  the  ransom  comes,  you  shall 
soon  have  your  liberty." 

As  the  son  departed  to  secure  the  ransom  for 


100  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

his  father,  the  governor  slipped  another  note,  of 
quite  a  different  import,  into  the  hand,  of  the  youth. 
The  young  Spaniard  was  shrewd  enough  not  to 
evince  by  word  or  sign  that  he  had  received  the 
missive,  and  did  not  open  it  until  he  was  among 
friends  safe  on  shore.  The  message  secretly 
placed  in  his  hand  by  his  father  read: 

"  Do  not  send  any  ransom,  but  notify  .the  officers  of  the 
navy  and  have  an  armed  force  sent  at  midnight,  sufficient 
to  capture  the  pirates  at  dawn  of  day. " 

These  instructions  were  carried  out.  The  pirate 
ships  lay  near  the  island  in  safe  mooring  awaiting 
the  ransom  which  was  to  come  next  morning. 
Francisco  found  himself  so  closely  guarded  by 
Gryrot,  La  Croix,  and  Des  Fourneaux  that  escape 
was  impossible. 

At  dawn  of  day  the  harbor  was  startled  by  the 
booming  of  cannon,  and  three  Spanish  vessels  of 
superior  burthen  bore  down  upon  them.  It  was 
evident  from  the  first  how  the  conflict  would  end, 
and  both  the  pirate  ships  attempted  flight;  but  the 
chain-shot  from  the  Spanish  vessel  so  cut  and 
crippled  the  rigging  and  sails  of  D'Oranger's  ship 
that  it  could  not  be  successfully  worked,  and 
was  carried  by  the  board.  The  pirates  who  were 
not  cut  down  in  the  fight  soon  paid  the  penalty 
of  their  crime  by  swinging  at  the  yard-arm. 


IN  FLORIDA.  '101 

The  other  ship,  on  which  Estevan  was  detained 
prisoner,  and  of  which  Trenchant  was  pilot,  escaped, 
and,  proving  swifter  than  the  Spanish  vessels,  soon 
set  pursuit  at  defiance.  On  board  this  vessel  were 
twenty-five  Frenchmen,  all  that  were  left  from  the 
original  number,  among  whom  were  John  Gyrot, 
Stephens  the  Genevois,  Des  Fourneaux,  and  La 
Croix.  They  owed  their  lives  to  the  skill  of 
Trenchant  their  pilot,  whom  they  both  hated  and 
feared,  but  whose  services  were  indispensable. 
The  management  of  the  vessel  being  entirely  in 
his  control  he  steered  for  the  Bahama  islands. 

Trenchant  ascertained  that  most  of  the  men  were 
heartily  tired  of  this  mode  of  life  and  willing  to 
return  to  Florida,  save  the  ringleaders,  who  had 
good  reason  to  dread  the  vegeance  of  Laudonniere. 
When  a  vote  was  taken  to  return  a  stormy  scene 
ensued,  and  Gyrot,  Des  Fourneaux,  La  Croix,  and 
Stephens  bitterly  opposed  it;  but  Trenchant  was 
cool  and  determined.  He  placed  himself  in  con 
trol  and  declared  he  would  steer  the  vessel  to  May 
Eiver,  and  if  the  objectors  interposed  any  obstacle 
to  his  design,  he  would  put  them  in  irons.  The 
will  of  the  majority  prevailed  and  the  ship  sailed 
for  tho  May  Eiver. 

As  soon  as  he  could,  Estevan  approached  his 
friend  Trenchant  and  asked : 

"  Can  you  land  me  on  the  coast  of  Cuba?" 


102  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"No;  I  would  willingly  do  so  if  I  could;  but 
these  men  are  so  much  in  dread  of  the  Spaniards  that 
we  dare  not  think  of  approaching  Cuba.  You  must 
go  with  us  to  Florida;  but  you  shall  receive  good 
treatment  and  be  sent  home  as  soon  as  possible." 

"Going  to  Florida,"  thought  Estevan.  He 
was  to  be  the  guest  of  a  Huguenot  colony,  a  class 
of  people  whom  he  had  been  taught  to  hate. 
Surely  Providence  had  laid  a  strange  chain  of  cir 
cumstances  to  teach  him  humility. 

The  vessel  steered  directly  for  the  river  May 
in  Florida,  and  Laudonniere,  who  had  timely 
notice  of  the  arrival  of  the  pirate,  appeared  at  the 
head  of  thirty  well-armed  soldiers  and  made  all 
prisoners.  None  but  La  Croix  and  Stephens 
offered  any  resistance,  and  these  were  knocked 
down  and  secured  before  they  could  do  mischief. 
Estevari,  as  well  as  the  others,  was  put  in  irons 
and  marched  up  to  the  fort,  he  and  Trenchant 
being  chained  together. 

On  the  way  to  the  fort  they  heard  the  whining, 
hypocritical  voice  of  Gyrot  pleading  with  Laudon 
niere  : 

"  Monsieur  Laudonniere,  good  Monsieur  Laudon 
niere,  I  was  torn  from  your  side,  as  you  observed, 
and  forced  to  become  a  pirate.  It  grieved  my 
heart,  monsieur,  for  I  was  very  loyal  to  you,  mon 
sieur,  oh  I  loved  you  well." 


IN  FLORIDA.  103 

"Hear  the  hypocrite,"  hissed  Trenchant.  "He 
was  the  originator  of  the  scheme,  and  now  he  seeks 
by  the  destruction  of  his  accomplices  to  save  his 
own  neck — the  traitor!" 

The  fort  was  reached  and  all  were  locked  in  dun 
geons  for  the  night.  Next  morning  Francisco 
Estevan  was  sent  for  by  Laudonniere  and  hurried 
into  the  presence  of  the  commandant. 

"Trenchant  has  informed  me  that  you  are  a 
Spaniard,"  said  Laudonniere. 

"I  am,  senor.  I  am  a  Cuban,  born  of  Spanish 
parents." 

"You  were  captured?" 

"Yes,  senor,  while  en  route  for  Cuba  from 
Spain." 

"I  regret  very  much  that  you  have  been  subjected 
to  this  annoyance,  and  I  can  assure  you  that  you 
are  safe  from  further  harm.  I  will  send  you  to 
Cuba  as  soon  as  practicable;  meanwhile  you  must 
remain  our  guest." 

Estevan  bowed  and  remained  silent.  Laudon 
niere  had  not  said  all  he  wished  to  say.  After 
assuring  the  Spaniard  that  he  was  at  liberty  to 
come  and  go  as  he  pleased,  that  he  could  answer 
or  refuse  to  answer  any  questions,  the  commandant 
asked : 

"Have  they  heard  of  this  colony  in  Spain?" 

"They  have,"  Francisco  answered. 


104  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"What  do  they  say  of  it?" 

"  The  king  is  very  angry,  and  it  is  rumored  he 
has  commissioned  Don  Pedro  Melendez  to  exter 
minate  you." 

Laudonni&re  was  startled  at  this  intelligence, 
and  his  face  grew  deathly  white.  After  a  few 
moments  he  said : 

"I  thank  you  for  the  information.  We  would 
truly  be  in  a  pitiable  plight  now  to  be  attacked  by 
Melendez.  We  seek  only  homes  and  peace,  and 
right  to  exercise  our  religious  liberty.  Why 
should  Philip  II.  refuse  us  this?" 

With  all  his  bigotry,  early  training,  and  super 
stition,  Francisco  Estevan  was  forced  to  admit  the 
reason  of  the  Huguenot's  argument.  He  was 
silent,  however,  for  he  dared  not  trust  himself  to 
answer.  After  an  awkward  silence  of  several 
minutes,  Laudonni&re  added: 

"Whatever  may  be  the  result  of  this  mad  act  of 
my  unfortunate  countrymen,  you.  need  fear  no  more 
harsh  treatment  at  our  hands. " 

"I  wish  to  interpose  a  word  for  one  of  your 
countryman. " 

"Who?" 

"  Trenchant,  the  pilot.  I  have  every  reason  to 
believe,  from  his  treatment  toward  myself  and  all 
other  prisoners,  and  his  aversion  to  acting  with 
his  companions,  that  he  was  forced  to  become  a 


IN  FLORIDA. 


105 


pirate.      He  told  me  he  was    dragged  on  board, 

bound,  and  threatened  with  death." 

"  He  shall  be  pardoned,  while  Gy- 
rot,  who  seems  to  bear  you  a  person- 
al  grudge,  will  be  punished.  I  have 
sent  for  him  and  he  is  coming  now. " 


«f 


"HE  APPEARED  MORE  CUNNING 
AND  FEROCIOUS  IN  IRONS  THAN 
BEFORE." 


At  this  moment  the  door  opened,  and  Gyrot, 
escorted  by  two  soldiers  entered.  He  was  more 
devilish,  more  cunning,  and  more  ferocious  in  irons 


106  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

than  he  had  appeared  before.  In  his  suit  of  black 
velvet,  he  looked  not  unlike  a  stage  representation 
of  Richard  III.  A  black  cloak  hung  from  his 
shoulders,  and  on  his  wrists  were  handcuffs.  His 
pale  face  was  surrounded  by  a  mass  of  black  hair 
which  fell  almost  to  his  slightly  stooped  shoulders. 
Even  with  his  wild  eyes,  the  iris  of  which  con 
tracted  or  dilated  at  pleasure,,  his  strongly  devel 
oped  facial  angles,  sharp  nose,  low  forehead,  livid 
complexion,  black  hair  and  sharp  white  teeth,  he 
was  politeness  unexceptionable.  He  bowed  to 
Laudonniere  and  Estevan,  and  the  horrible  smile 
which  revealed  those  immaculate  white  teeth 
played  upon  his  face. 

"What  is  monsieur's  pleasure?"  asked  Gyrot, 
with  an  effort  to  look  pleasant  and  submissive. 

"I  have  heard  of  your  hatred  of  this  Spaniard," 
answered  Laudonniere. 

"My  hatred!   Oh,  monsieur,  there  is  some  mis 
take." 

"  There  is  not.      Gyrot,  you  are  a  wolf  in  sheep's 
clothing." 

1  Gyrot,  assuming  his  meekest  demeanor,  bowed 
and  waited  until  the  outburst  of  wrath  on  the  part 
of  Laudonniere  had  somewhat  subsided,  and 
answered : 

"  Many  things  monsieur  says  seem  true,  but  if 
he  will   listen,  I  can  convince  him  I  have  been 


IN  FLORIDA.  107 

greatly  wronged.  I  know  my  life  is  forfeited;  I 
am  to  die,  and  yet  I  don't  complain.  I  only  ask 
monsieur  to  let  me  clear  up  some  of  the  charges 
against  me." 

"Proceed;  make  your  defence,"  answered 
Laudonni^re. 

"The  governor  saw  me  overpowered  by  the 
mutineers  and  carried  away.  This  gentleman, 
Francisco  Estevan,  will  bear  witness  that  I  saved 
him  when  placed  on  the  fatal  plank  and  about  to 
be  pushed  into  the  sea." 

Laudonniere  turned  his  eyes  inquiringly  upon 
Estevan. 

"  What  he  has  said  is  true,"  Francisco  answered, 
"But  at  the  same  time  he  said  he  reserved  me  for  a 
greater  punishment." 

"  Monsieur  Commandant  will  understand  I  had 
to  offer  some  such  excuse  to  appease  the  pirates, 
and  save  his  life." 

So  shrewdly  did  Gyrot  conduct  his  own  defence, 
so  meek,  so  humble  and  penitent  did  he  seem,  that 
the  commandant  released  him  with  only  a  rebuke, 
and  ordered  him,  as  he  valued  his  life,  to  respect 
their  Spanish  guest.  All  the  pirates  did  not  fare 
so  easily.  Four  of  the  most  mutinous,  including 
the  Genevois,  La  Croix,  and  Des  Fourneaux,  were 
that  day  condemned  to  be  hanged;  but  Laudon 
niere,  at  the  earnest  request  of  his  men,  changed  the 


108  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

sentence  to  shooting,  and  an  hour  before  sunset  they 
were  marched  blindfolded  to  the  spot  where  they 
were  executed,  and  all  were  buried  in  one  grave. 

Finding  himself  unable  to  leave  Florida  at  once, 
Francisco  Estevan,  in  order  to  keep  himself  occu 
pied,  volunteered  to  join  La  Eoche  Ferriere  in  his 
successful  tours  of  discovery.  La  Eoche  Ferriere 
had-visited  the  Indians  near  the  Appalachian  Moun 
tains,  and  had  made  alliances  which  excited  the 
jealousy  of  Outina.  He  returned  to  Laudonniere 
with  fine  presents  from  the  new  friends  of  the 
French,  consisting  of  gold  and  silver  plate,  curious 
quivers,  furs,  arrows  ornamented  with  gold,  hang 
ings  made  of  beautiful  feathers,  hatchets  and  other 
utensils. 

On  the  first  expedition  in  which  Francisco  Este 
van  accompanied  La  Eoche  Ferriere  they  learned 
that  a  chief,  Onathaca,  had  in  his  possession  two 
white  men  who  were  slaves,  and  who,  upon  prom 
ise  of  their  ransom,  would  be  sent  to  Carolinia. 

"They  must  be  two  of  my  nationality,"  said 
Estevan  to  Laudonniere,  who  ordered  the  ransom 
paid  and  the  prisoners  to  be  brought  to  the  fort. 
As  Estevan  had  predicted,  they  proved  to  be 
Spaniards  who  had  long  been  in  slavery,  having 
been  lost  in  one  of  the  exploring  expeditions  of 
the  Spaniards.  One  of  them  had  a  piece  of  gold 
worth  twenty-five  crowns.  Laudonniere,  eager  to 


IN  FLORIDA.  109 

learn  all  "he  could  of  the  country,  asked  the  oldest 
of  the  Spaniards  to  tell  him  all  he  knew  of  Florida. 
Through  Francisco  Estevan  as  .interpreter  the 
Spaniard  said: 

"  Onathaca  reigns  over  the  eastern  part  of  Florida; 
but  toward  the  west  reigns  another  king  called 
Callos,  who  was  owner  of  all  the  gold  and  silver 
mines  of  Florida.  A  great  number  of  European 
vessels  have  been  wrecked  on  his  coast,  which  is 
quite  dangerous  for  shipping.  This  prince  has  a 
ditch  six  feet  deep  and  three  wide  filled  with  gold 
and  silver  ornaments.  In  his  town  are  four  or 
five  European  women  of  rank  with  their  children 
who  were  wrecked  on  his  inhospitable  coast  about 
fifteen  years  ago.  This  chief  or  king  has  great 
power  over  his  subjects,  who  believe  him  to  be  a 
supernatural  being.  He  has  persuaded  them  that 
the  fertility  of  the  earth  is  owing  to  him,  for  which 
reason  they  sacrifice  to  him  every  year  about  har 
vest  time  an  unhappy  captive.  I  advise  you  not 
to  trust  the  Floridians;  they  are  treacherous  dogs, 
and  are  most  dangerous  when  making  their  greatest 
pretentions  to  friendship." 

"How  many  men  would  it  take  to  conquer 
Callos?"  asked  Laudonniere. 

"  With  one  hundred  men  we  could  put  you  in 
possession  of  Callos  and  also  make  other  great  dis 
coveries." 


110  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Laudonniere  merely  said  he  would  give  the 
matter  his  attention  and  dismissed  the  Spaniards, 
assuring  them  that  they  could  make  their  home  in 
his  colony.  Instead  of  espousing  the  cause  of  any 
tribe  of  Indians,  Laudonniere  sought  to  reconcile 
them  to  each  other,  and  formed  alliances  with 
many  of  their  chiefs  to  which  he  intended  to  have 
recourse  in  case  of  new  disturbances  in  his  colony, 
or  if  the  rumored  invasion  from  Spain  should 
prove  to  be  a  reality.  He  gave  employment  to 
his  people  by  storing  his  magazines,  and  dispatched 
Ottigny,  who  took  Francisco  Estevan  with  him, 
on  new  discoveries.  On  this  expedition  they 
visited  a  great  lake,  the  sand  along  the  shore  of 
which  was  thought  to  contain  fine  grains  of  gold. 
On  their  return  to  the  fort  they  visited  Outina, 
with  whom,  at  his  earnest  request,  Ottigny  left 
some  of  his  companions  under  Francisco  Estevan. 

Outina,  finding  himself  involved  in  a  fresh  war 
with  the  son  of  Potanou,  desired  of  Laudonniere 
a  small  force  of  men  and  guns,  and  Ottigny  wag 
sent  to  him  with  thirty  auxiliaries.  After  a  two 
day's  march,  Outina  was  a  little  dismayed  to 
learn  that  his  enemies  were  prepared  to  receive 
him,  and  his  war  juggler  advised  him  to  retreat,  for 
young  Potanou  was  waiting  with  two  thousand 
warriors. 

Outina  was  alarmed  and  on  the  point  of  turning 


IN  FLORIDA.  Ill 

back,  when  Ottigny  and  Francisco  called  him  a 
coward  and  pressed  on  with,  thirty  soldiers  armed 
with  matchlocks.  The  onset  began  by  a  volley  of 
musketry,  which  made  such  havoc  among  the  enemy 
that  the  Indians  fled  in  dismay,  leaving  Outina  and 
his  French  allies  master  of  the  field. 

On  their  return  from  this  successful  campaign, 
John  Gyrot,  who  had  hitherto  kept  aloof  from 
Francisco  Estevan,  approached  the  Spaniard,  and, 
in  a  voice  full  of  irony,  said: 

"  Monsieur  makes  a  brave  soldier;  I  congratulate 
him;  but  what  has  become  of  his  priestly  inten 
tions?" 

Turning  a  look  of  withering  scorn  on  this  human 
reptile,  Francisco  replied: 

"Beware  how  you  taunt  me — you  cur!" 


CHAPTER  VII. 

SIR   JOHN"   HAWKINS. 

THE  more  Francisco  knew  of  Laudonniere,  •  the 
better  lie  liked  him.  His  kindness,  genteel  manner, 
and  nobility  of  character  recommended  him  to  any 
fair-minded  person.  The  noble  commandant  guar 
anteed  him  life  and  liberty  while  in  the  colony,  and 
promised  to  send  him  and  the  other  Spaniards  to 
Cuba  as  soon  as  practicable.  All  knew  it  would 
be  certain  destruction  for  a  French  vessel  to  ven 
ture  near  the  Cuban  coast  after  the  recent  outrages 
of  D' Granger  and  his  cut-throats.  Laudonniere 
was  found  in  very  low  spirits  on  their  return  from 
the  campaign  against  Potanou. 

"Monsieur,  it  is  a  desponding  colony  you  see," 
Laudonniere  said.  "  Truly  we  are  all  on  the  verge 
of  despair." 

"Why?"  asked  Estevan. 

"  Reinforcements  and  provisions,  which  Ribault 
was  to  bring  from  France,  have  not  arrived,  and 
our  colony  is  again  on  the  point  of  mutiny." 

"  The  soil  yields  bountifully  and  would  produce 
112 


SIR   JOHN  HAWKINS.  113 

all  the  provisions  needful  for  the  men.  Why  do 
not  the  colonists  till  more  ground  and  devote  more 
attention  to  their  comforts  than  to  exploring  a  wil 
derness  in  which  Narvaez  and  De  Soto  lost  their 
lives?" 

"Alas,  monsieur,  there  is  the  root  of  our 
calamity.  Our  people  are  unfitted  to  till  the  soil; 
they  are  not  the  hardy,  industrious  men  of  which 
pioneers  are  made.  There  are  too  many  gentlemen 
and  not  enough  laborers  and  farmers  among  them. 
We  have  too  many  consumers  and  too  few  pro 
ducers." 

Estevan  thoughtfully  answered: 

"The  same  curse  has  fallen  on  every  colony 
planted  in  the  New  World.  It  is  not  gentry  but 
men  of  toil  who  are  most  needed  here.  As  soon 
as  the  gold  in  the  Spanish  colonies  is  exhausted 
the  soldiers  and  gentlemen  will  be  forced  to  leave 
them.  The  mines  at  San  Domingo  are  failing,  and 
in  a  few  years  more  will  be  completely  exhausted." 

At  this  moment  D'Erlac  entered  the  command 
ant's  apartment. 

"Monsieur  D'Erlac,  what  news  do  you  bring?" 
asked  Laudonniere. 

"The  barbarians  who  have  been  charging  us 
such  exorbitant  prices  for  food  now  refuse  to  sell 
at  any  price. " 

This  was  quite  a  shock  to  the  commandant. 
8 


114  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

For  several  moments  he  was  silent,  and  then,  with 
a  troubled  brow,  said: 

"The  heathen  have  abated  their  passion  for 
trinkets,  and,  seeing  our  deplorable  condition,  are 
determined  to  take  advantage  of  it.  Have  you 
been  to  see  Outina?" 

"Yes." 

"How  is  he?" 

"  He  says  he  has  no  more  provisions  to  spare. 
That  his  wars  have  cost  him  dearly  and  his  people 
have  not  had  time  to  plant  and  grow  corn. " 

"That  is  a  sample  of  savage  generosity,"  said 
Laudonniere.  "Only  a  few  weeks  ago  we  sent 
armed  men  to  help  Outina  defeat  Potanou  the 
younger;  now  he  has  turned  his  back  upon  us." 

He  was  moved  to  tears  by  their  deplorable  con 
dition,  although  he  endeavored  to  encourage  his 
people. 

"Ribault  will  surely  come  soon,"  he  declared. 
"Have  patience;  there  is  game  in  the  forests  and 
fishes  in  the  streams." 

He  roused  the  desponding  Frenchmen  into  some 
thing  like  activity,  and  they  began  to  hunt  and 
fish ;  but,  as  if  by  some  evil  power,  the  fish  had  dis 
appeared  from  the  streams  and  the  game  from  the 
forests.  Estevan,  who  was  an  experienced  hunter, 
killed  a  fat  buck,  and  the  colony  almost  mutinied 
over  the  venison. 


SIR  JOHN  HAWKINS.  115 

To  add  to  their  distress,  the  savages  became 
bolder  as  the  French  grew  weaker,  and  subjected 
them  to  divers  insults  which  under  no  other  cir 
cumstances  would  have  been  borne  for  a  single 
instant. 

The  despairing  men  begged  to  return  to  France; 
but  the  thought  seemed  sheer  madness.  Their 
vessels  were  in  no  condition  to  weather  the  storms 
and  currents  of  an  Atlantic  voyage;  besides,  they 
had  neither  sufficient  food  to  last,  nor  the  means 
of  procuring  enough  for  victualling  the  vessels. 

They  were  compelled  to  subsist  on  acorns,  herbs 
and  roots,  such  as  they  could  dig  in  the  fields  and 
forests.  The  Indians  grew  bolder  in  their  insults 
every  day,  until  at  last  they  were  so  outrageous 
that  Laudonni&re  ordered  their  town  to  be  burned ; 
but  he  repented  of  the  order  and  recalled  it  almost 
immediately.  The  same  evening  Trenchant  entered 
the  cabin  of  Laudonniere  with  a  serious  look  on 
his  face  and  said: 

"Monsieur,  a  savage  has  killed  one  of  our  men." 

"Now  I  will  burn  their  town!"  cried  Laudon 
niere,  greatly  angered,  and  at  the  head  of  a  small 
party  he  went  himself  and  set  fire  to  the  miserable 
huts  where  the  Indians  lived.  The  savages  fled 
to  the  woods  where  they  were  secure,  and  the 
French  returned  not  half  satisfied  with  what  they 
had  done. 


116  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

Day  by  day  affairs  grew  worse.  Estevan  soon 
felt  the  pangs  of  hunger.  He  was  a  good  hunter, 
was  industrious,  and  alone  he  could  have  sup 
ported  himself  despite  the  dangers  in  the  forests; 
but  there  were  so  many  too  feeble  to  hunt,  pluck 
fruit,  or  dig  roots  that  he  was  forced  to  yield  a 
greater  share  of  his  hard-earned  food  to  them. 
Yams,  which  grew  in  abundance  in  the  forest,  were 
excellent  food  when  baked,  and  in  addition  there 
were  oranges  and  other  wild  fruits. 

On  his  return  from  a  day  of  toil  and  peril  in  the 
forest,  he  saw  quite  a  commotion  at  the  command 
ant's  house,  and  drawing  nearer  he  ascertained  that 
Gyrot,  Trenchant,  and  others  were  pressing  Lau- 
donniere  to  arrest  Outina  and  force  him  to  furnish 
them  with  the  means  of  subsistence.  Laudonniere 
held  out  for  a  long  time,  but  disease  and  famine 
had  made  such  inroads  on  his  colony  and  so  weak 
ened  his  resolution,  that  at  last  he  yielded.  When 
asked  what  he  thought  of  the  plan,  Francisco 
denounced  it. 

"It  is  unwise,  and  the  act  will  only  bring  upon 
us  a  disastrous  war,"  he  declared. 

"  He  is  a  Spaniard  and  an  enemy  to  the  Hugue 
nots,"  cried  that  mischief-maker  of  the  colony, 
John  Gyrot. 

"Spaniard  though  I  be,  our  interests  are  one," 
Estevan  proudly  answered.  "I  am  not  your 


90  gi  6'  77  73  63  6J 


SIR   JOHN  HAWKINS.  117 

enemy.  Our  interests  are  mutual  and  your  safety 
is  mine." 

But  as  drowning  men  grasp  at  a  straw,  the  fool 
ish  Huguenots  believed  that  with  Outina  a  prisoner 
his  people  would  furnish  them  with  abundance  of 
food,  and  all  were  eager  for  the  arrest  of  the  Indian 
chief. 

"Why  longer  delay?"  asked  Gyrot.  "We  have 
the  commandant's  assent:  what  more  do  you 
want?" 

"Nothing." 

"Then  to  Outina  let  us  go." 

Twenty  armed  men  set  out  for  the  distant  village 
of  Outina,  and  at  midnight  rushed  into  the  hamlet 
while  the  people  were  buried  in  sleep,  seized  the 
chief,  and  dragged  him  from  his  bed.  The  rudely 
awakened  savages  uttered  loud  cries  and  fled  to  the 
wood,  while  Outina  was  carried  to  Fort  Carolinia. 
Next  morning  after  the  return  of  the  expedition 
with  the  captive,  the  savages,  who  had  had  time 
to  recover  their  courage,  were  seen  like  a  vast 
cloud  hovering  about  the  fort.  D'Erlac,  Estevan, 
and  Trenchant  were  sent  to  negotiate  with  them. 

"What  do  you  want?"  D'Erlac  asked. 

"Our  chief,"  was  the  answer. 

"And  we  want  food,"  said  the  Frenchman. 
"Bring  us  food  and  we  will  restore  Outina  to 
you." 


118  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Some  of  the  head  men  conferred  a  few  moments, 
and  one  answered: 

"We  have  no  more  food  than  we  want  for  our 
selves.  The  Frenchmen  are  idle  vagabonds,  and  we 
do  not  care  to  support  them.  Why  do  they  not 
plant  and  till  the  soil  as  we  do,  and  not  depend  on 
us  for  subsistence?" 

This  was  a  truth  which  the  embassadors  could 
not  deny.  Their  efforts  to  conciliate  the  Indians 
and  secure  food  were  unavailing. 

"We  want  our  chief,"  they  declared;  "and  we 
will  have  him  or  make  war  on  the  white  people 
until  they  are  exterminated." 

The  envoys,  finding  their  efforts  at  negotiation  of 
no  avail,  returned  to  the  fort  and  reported  the 
result.  The  Indians  hovered  in  a  vast  body  on  the 
north  end  of  the  wood,  but  a  shot  from  one  of  the 
lombards  dispersed  them.  They  concealed  them 
selves  in  the  woods  and  assailed  every  Frenchman 
with  arrows  as  soon  as  he  ventured  from  the  fort,  so 
that  the  French  dared  not  venture  into  the  wood 
for  game  or  roots.  One  man  was  killed  and 
several  wounded  by  the  besieging  foe.  Being 
unable  to  hunt,  fish,  or  dig  roots,  their  condition 
became  more  desperate  than  it  had  been  before. 
For  three  days  they  were  virtually  penned  up  in, 
their  fort  in  a  state  of  siege  with  starvation  for  the 


SIR   JOHN  HAWKINS.  119 

chief  guns.  At  the  close  of  the  third  day  Laudon- 
ni&re  declared: 

"I  am  going  to  negotiate  with  the  Indians  and 
release  Outina  on  some  terms." 

Next  morning  he  chose  D'Erlac,  Ottigny,  and 
Francisco  Estevan  as  the  bravest  and  coolest 
advisers,  and  sent  word  to  the  Indians  that  he  was 
coming  to  treat  with  them.  On  his  wishes  becom 
ing  known  a  deputation  of  head  men  were  sent  to 
meet  the  four  white  men. 

"We  don't  wish  to  harm  your  chief;  but  we  are 
starving  and  must  have  food,"  said  Laudonniere. 

"  We  have  no  more  food  than  we  want  ourselves, " 
the  Indians  answered. 

"  Our  ships  will  soon  come  from  across  the  sea 
and  bring  us  relief." 

This  story  was  no  longer  credited  by  the  In 
dians.  They  were  not  wholly  unwilling  to  treat, 
however,  and  agreed  to  give  five  measures  of  corn, 
and  a  small  quantity  of  yams  and  fruit,  for  the 
restoration  of  their  chief.  For  this  trifle  Laudon- 
ni&re  agreed  to  release  Outina,  and  as  the  Indians 
had  the  amount  of  ransom  with  them,  he  sent 
Estevan  to  bring  the  chief  under  a  guard  of  ten 
soldiers,  while  the  Indians  got  together  the  ransom. 

"Beware!"  whispered  D'Erlac,  "or  they  will 
yet  take  some  advantage  of  us." 


120  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

The  provisions  were  brought,  and  shortly  after 
Estevan  with  ten  soldiers  brought  the  captive  chief. 
The  prisoner  was  freed,  and  with  their  limited 
amount  of  provisions  the  French  started  to  the 
fort.  They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when 
a  noise  caused  Estevan  to  glance  behind  him. 
"They  are  coming — beware!"  he  cried. 

With  yells  the  savages  seemed  to  start  up  from 
the  earth  on  every  side.  The  soldiers  had  not 
time  to  set  their  matchlocks  before  the  racks  were 
overturned  and  they  were  engaged  in  a  hand-to- 
hand  encounter.  Laudonni^re  was  weak  from 
sickness  and  lack  of  food,  and  though  he  drew  his 
sword  and  fought  like  a  lion,  it  became  evident 
that  he  was  unable  to  defend  himself.  Estevan, 
seeing  his  feeble  condition,  cried  to  D'Erlac  and 
Ottigny: 

"Defend  the  senor;  he  is  too  weak  to  resist 
them." 

With  their  swords,  the  three  beat  back  the  sav 
ages  and  bore  the  commandant  in  safety  to  the  fort. 

The  Indians  retook  all  the  provisions  given  in 
exchange  for  their  chief,  and  two  of  the  French  sol 
diers  were  killed  in  the  conflict. 

The  condition  of  the  Huguenots  was  now  deplor 
able.  Some  were  too  weak  from  sickness  and 
famine  to  rise  from  the  ground,  and  Francisco 
frequently  found  a  feeble  companion  at  night  a 


SIR   JOHN  HAWKINS.  121 

corpse  in  the  morning.  No  more  communication 
was  had  with  the  Indians. 

They  determined  to  return  to  their  native  coun 
try,  and  work  was  begun  on  their  vessels,  when  a 
ship  from  France  with  a  cargo  of  millet,  came 
into  port.  With  a  supply  of  nourishing  food 
the  sick  began  to  recover  and  the  feeble  grew 
bolder;  yet  nothing  could  deter  them  from  their 
design  of  returning  to  France. 

"What  will  monsieur  do?"  asked  Laudonniere 
of  Francisco. 

"Can  you  send  me  to  Cuba?"  he  asked. 

"Impossible." 

"Then  I  will  go  to  France." 

Though  he  had  not  abandoned  his  idea  of  the 
priesthood  and  regarded  the  Huguenots  as  heretics 
and  emissaries  of  the  devil,  his  heart  began  to 
flutter  at  thought  of  again  being  in  the  same  coun 
try  with  Hortense.  Youth  is  a  flower  of  which 
love  is  the  fruit,  and  happy  is  he  who,  after  watch 
ing  its  silent  growth,  is  permitted  to  gather  and 
call  it  his  own.  Useless  indeed  to  lay  plans  which 
threaten  to  trample  the  affections;  for  love  knows 
no  barriers,  falters  at  no  difficulties,  and  laughs 
at  bolts  and  bars. 

The  Huguenots  were  busy  again  with  their  prep 
arations,  when  Gyrot,  who  had  ventured  below 
the  fort,  gave  utterance  to  a  shout  of  joy. 


122  SAIXT  AUGUSTINE. 

"  Deliverance  has  come!  Deliverance  has  come!" 
he  cried.  "Behold  ships  from  France!" 

Four  vessels  were  seen  in  the  offing,  and,  believ 
ing  them  to  be  ships  sent  to  relieve  the  colonists, 
the  greatest  demonstrations  of  joy  were  made  by 
the  Frenchmen.  Shouting,  singing,  dancing, 
laughing  and  crying  like  children,  they  ran  down 
to  the  bay. 

Francisco  Estevan,  who  shared  their  joy,  was 
foremost  in  the  race.  His  eyes  were  stronger  and 
judgment  clearer  than  his  excited  companions, 
and,  after  giving  the  vessels  a  careful  inspection,  he 
said: 

"Those  are  not  French  ships;  they  fly  English 
colors." 

This  discovery  checked  the  joy  of  the  French, 
but  only  for  a  moment.  They  knew  the  English 
were  friendly  to  them  and  would  give  them  aid, 
so  once  more  their  shouts  of  welcome  rose  on  the 
air. 

The  vessels  fired  a  salute  which  was  answered 
by  the  fort,  and  a  boat  was  seen  to  put  off  from 
the  largest  of  the  fleet  to  the  shore.  Laudonniere, 
surrounded  by  his  staff,  D'Erlac,  Francisco 
Estevan,  Ottigny,  and  Trenchant,  went  down  to 
meet  the  boat  and  learn  who  the  visitors  were. 
The  boat  touched  the  strand,  and  a  young  sailor 
landed  and  approached  the  ragged  colonists, 


SHOUTING,    SINGING,    DANCING,    LAUGHING    AND    CKYING,    THEV    KAN     1>UWN 
TO    THE    BAY. 


SIR   JOHN  HAWKINS. 


123 


"Sir  John  Hawkins  from  England  is  in  your 
bay  with  his  fleet,"  he  said,  tipping  his  hat,  "and 
he  wishes  to  land  and  pay  Laudonniere  a  visit,  if 
he  will  permit  him." 

"Inform  Sir  John  Hawkins  that  I  shall  be 
happy  to  receive  him,  and  such  poor  hospitality  as 
I  can  afford  will  be  freely 
accorded  him." 

The  sailor  returned  and 
Sir  John  Hawkins  landed. 
His  object  in  touching  at 
the  colony  was  to  procure 
a  supply  of  fresh  water. 
Laudonniere  conducted 
him  to  his  house,  where  he 
treated  him  to  some  wild 
fowls,  which  Estevan  had 
trapped  the  day  before, 
and  he  was  almost  as 
happy  to  meet  the  generous  Englishman  as  if  he 
had  been  a  brother. 

"We  are  in  a  most  wretched,  starving  condi 
tion,"  Laudonniere  explained.  "We  have  three 
deadly  enemies  to  contend  with:  savages,  famine, 
and  the  Spaniards."  Laudonniere  then  narrated 
all  that  had  transpired  since  he  had  come  to  the 
colony,  not  even  omitting  the  piratical  expedition 
against  the  Spaniards.  The  generous  Englishman 


SIR  JOHN  HAWKINS. 


124  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

was  greatly  moved,  and  furnished  the  Frenchman 
with  bread  and  wine,  which  neither  the  commandant 
nor  his  people  had  tasted  for  six  or  seven  months 
before. 

On  seeing  the  ships  in  the  bay,  the  savages 
supposed  the  long  talked-of  reinforcements  had 
arrived  from  France  and  became  more  friendly, 
bringing  stores  of  provisions  from  all  quarters. 
Sir  John  Hawkins  furnished  the  colonists  with 
everything  they  stood  in  need  of,  and  offered  to 
carry  them  to  France;  but  they  declined  this  kind 
offer.  Laudonniere,  however,  purchased  one  of 
his  ships  and  determined  to  set  sail  for  France  by 
the  fifteenth  of  the  month. 

It  was  August  1,  1565,  when  Sir  John  Hawkins 
bade  the  French  colonists  adieu  and,  with  the 
remaining  three  vessels,  spread  his  sails  for  England. 

Estevan  appealed  to  him  to  be  taken  to  Cuba, 
where  his  parents  had  so  long  expected  him ;  but 
several  things  conspired  against  the  plan.  First, 
they  were  bound  for  England;  second,  the  feeling 
between  Great  Britain  and  Spain  was  not  the  best, 
and,  as  Sir  John  Hawkins,  like  Sir  Francis  Drake, 
was  a  sort  of  free  rover,  privateer,  or  pirate,  he 
had  some  hesitation  about  landing  in  Havana. 
Thus  Estevan  again  found  his  fate,  by  many  un 
controllable  destinies,  linked  with  the  Huguenots. 

Fate  destined  him  to  return  to  France.     Once 


'SIR   JOHN  HAWKINS.  125 

more  he  would  probably  see  the  only  being  who 
had  ever  stirred  the  tender  emotions  of  his  soul. 
If  it  were  fate,  why  resist?  He  worked  with 
others  loading  the  ships,  and  by  the  fourteenth  of 
August  all  were  ready,  and  on  the  next  morning 
would  surely  weigh  anchor  for  France. 

That  night  Francisco  Estevan,  who  had  remained 
on  shore,  was  alone  in  his  hut,  his  mind  busy 
with  bitter  thoughts,  and  his  soul  engaged  in  a 
terrible  struggle.  Superstition  and  bigotry  on 
one  side  was  arrayed  against  love  and  reason. 

"I  will  go  to  France;  I  will  see  Hortense  De 
Barre,"  he  said,  half  aloud.  "I  will  once  more 
gaze  into  those  soulful  eyes  which  seem  to  read  my 
doom.  She  is  the  only  one  of  God's  creatures 
that  ever  awoke  my  slumbering  affections.  Does 
God  will  it?  Has  Providence  brought  about  this 
chain  of  unforeseen  circumstances  which  link  us  to 
each  other?  If  God  had  not  designed  it,  why  was 
I,  alone  of  all  my  ship's  crew,  rescued,  and  by  her? 
Why  was  she  placed  at  Beaucarre  to  receive  me?  I 
verily  believe  that  when  I  land  in  France  I  will 
find  Hortense  De  Barre  to  meet  me !  Do  the  saints 
send  her?" 

Then  his  traditions  and  bigotry  got  the  better  of 
him,  and  he  fiercely  cried: 

"No,  no!  she  is  an  emissary  of  the  devil  sent 
to  tempt  me  as  St.  Anthony  was  tempted.  Holy 


126  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Virgin,  help  me  this  moment!  The  flesh  is  so 
weak;  God,  send  thy  saints  to  give  me  strength. 
It  is  the  devil — the  devil  that  tempts  me — I  won't 
love  her — out  of  my  sight,  thou  picture — thou 
matchless  creation  of  the  prince  of  darkness!  I 
will — I  will  be  a  priest!" 

Overwhelmed  by  his  emotions,  the  young  Span 
iard  fell  on  his  face  and  burst  into  tears.  He  was 
still  moaning  and  sobbing,  when  Laudonni^re 
entered. 

"  What  is  wrong  with  my  friend,  what  is  amiss, 
monsieur?" 

"Senor,  I  am  most  miserable  of  all  men." 

"Why,  Monsieur  Estevan,  what  makes  you 
miserable?"  asked  the  kind-hearted  Laudonniere. 
"You  wish  to  return  to  Cuba.  Wait  until  we 
reach  France.  It  will  be  easy  for  you  to  go  to  Spain, 
and  sail  home  in  one  of  your  ships." 

"  It  is  not  that,  senor — it  is  not  that.  There  is 
a  conflict  raging  within.  My  heart  prompts  me  to 
one  thing,  my  conscience  to  another.  Tell  me, 
senor,  is  conscience  ever  wrong?" 

Laudonniere  gave  him  a  surprised  look. 

"Generally,  no;  particularly,  yes,"  he  answered. 
"Your  conscience  always  says,  do  right — your 
judgment  tells  you  what  is  right.  Now,  if  judg 
ment  has  been  perverted,  wrongly  educated,  con 
trolled  by  false  logic  and  traditions,  it  is  wrong, 


JOHN  HAWKINS.  12? 

and  misleads  conscience.  Conscience  misled  is  dan 
gerous.  Men  may  kill  for  conscience'  sake,  be 
lieving  they  do  God  service." 

So  much  was  his  argument  like  that  which  Hor- 
tense  used,  that  Estevan  started  to  his  feet,  rushed 
out  into  the  night,  and,  kneeling  under  a  great  live 
oak,  prayed: 

"  Thou  great  God,  whom  we  all  worship,  teach 
me  what  is  right !  Must  I  become  a  priest,  or  must 
I  abandon  the  holy  calling?" 


CHAPTEE  VIII. 

HORTENSE   DE   BARRE — THE   CLOUD. 

THE  morning  of  the  15th  of  August,  1565, 
dawned,  and  the  ships  were  all  ready  to  put  to  sea. 
Every  man  was  on  board.  Provisions  sufficient  to 
last  them  on  the  voyage  had  been  placed  in  the 
holds  and  anchors  were  weighed ;  but  a  contrary  head 
wind  beat  them  back  into  the  harbor,  and,  again 
casting  anchor,  most  of  them  returned  to  shore. 

This  contrary  wind  continued  until  the  28th  of 
the  month,  when  it  became  once  more  fair  and 
Laudonniere  determined  to  sail.  Again  every  one 
was  ordered  aboard,  and  they  were  in  the  act  of 
weighing  anchor  when  D'Erlac  cried: 

"There  are  ships  at  anchor  in  the  bay." 

Every  eye  was  turned  in  that  direction,  and, 
sure  enough,  ships  could  be  seen  in  full  view. 

"Who  are  they?"  asked  Laudonniere. 

"I  fear  they  are  Spanish  vessels,"  said  D'Erlac. 

"Doubtless  sent  to  punish  us  for  the  acts  of  the 
pirates  whom  we  shot,"  said  Laudonniere  uncasi!}7. 
138 


HORTENSE   DE  BARRE—THE   CLOUD.       129 

Turning  to  Francisco  Estevan,  he  asked,  "What 
do  you  think  of  those  ships?  Are  they  Spanish 
or  Portuguese  vessels?" 

"I  am  not  certain,"  Francisco  anwered.  "I  see 
no  colors;  but  from  the  make  of  the  vessels,  they 
seem  to  be  Spanish  caravels." 

Laudonniere  was  in  deadly  fear  of  the  Spanish. 
He  sent  out  a  boat  to  speak  with  them.  To  his 
great  surprise  and  alarm  the  boat  did  not  return, 
so  he  ordered  all  his  men  to  disembark  and  shutting 
himself  up  in  his  fort,  determined  to  stand  upon 
his  defence. 

The  day  passed  and  night  closed  in.  It  was  a 
night  of  great  anxiety  on  the  part  of  the  colony. 
At  early  dawn  Laudonniere  perceived  seven  chal- 
oupes,  full  of  armed  people,  proceeding  in  profound 
silence  up  the  river. 

"  There  can  be  no  question  that  they  are  enemies, " 
said  Laudonniere;  " but  in  order  to  be  quite  sure, 
fire  a  matchlock  to  show  them  we  are  aware  of 
their  approach." 

D^Erlac's  gun  was  loaded  and  the  match  burn 
ing.  He  sent  a  bullet  speeding  through  the  air 
which  struck  the  water  a  few  rods  short  of  the 
advance  boat.  Laudonniere,  mounting  the  wall 
of  the  fort,  waved  his  sword  in  the  air  and  cried: 

"Hold — advance   no    further   or  we   will    sink 
your  boats  with  our  cannon." 
9 


130  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

The  people  in  the  chaloupes,  greatly  surprised, 
rested  on  their  oars,  while  one  answered: 

"  Why  do  you  fire  on  us?  We  are  from  France. 
Our  ships  are  under  Eibault,  and  we  are  coming 
with  recruits  and  supplies  for  the  colony." 

Eibault,  who  was  himself  in  the  advance  boat, 
felt  no  little  indignation  at  his  reception,  though 
Laudonniere  assured  him  he  thought  them  enemies 
coming  to  attack  them. 

"You  have  great  cause  to  dread  the  Spaniards," 
Bibault  answered  leaping  on  shore. 

"What  do  you  mean,  monsieur?"  Laudonniere 
asked.  "Your  language  implies  a  rebuke." 

"The  doings  of  this  colony  have  reached  the 
ears  of  the  king,"  Eibault  answered.  "It  is 
reported  that  instead  of  clearing  forests,  planting 
fields,  building  towns  and  working  mines,  you 
have  been  carrying  on  piratical  expeditions  in  the 
West  Indies." 

"Have  such  reports  reached  France?" 

"  They  have,  and  they  have  tended  to  ruin  not 
only  you,  but  myself,  and  our  patron,  the  Admiral 
Coligni." 

Laudonniere  assured  Eibault  that  the  charges 
against  him  were  unjust,  and  that  he  had  been 
cruelly  maligned  by  the  enemies  of  Protestantism. 
He  called  Trenchant  and  Estevan  to  prove  that  he 
had  been  overpowered  by  the  vagabonds  and  forced 


HORTENSE   DE   SARE.E—THE    CLOUD.        131 

to  sign  the  commission,  and  that  he  had  subse 
quently  caused  the  chief  conspirators  to  be  shot. 

"The  act  has  almost  overthrown  our  hopes," 
said  Eibault.  "  The  Catholics  use  it  against  us. 
It  is  thought  Catharine  de  Medici  is  ready  to  es 
pouse  the  cause  of  the  Catholics  as  warmly  as  she 
has  the  Protestants.  The  act  of  piracy  has  roused 
PHILIP  II.,  and  I  was  informed  that  he  had  sent 
Don  Pedro  Melendez  to  exterminate  the  colony." 

Laudonniere  turned  pale  and  asked: 

"Have  you  brought  more  colonists?" 

"I  have,  and  among  them  are  many  women  and 
children  who  are  helpless  and  dependent  on  our  arms 
for  protection  against  the  Indians  and  Spaniards. 
They  left  their  own  country  to  escape  persecution, 
and  came  here,  perhaps,  to  fall  a  prey  to  Melendez." 

Estevan,  who  had  overheard  the  remarks  of  the 
Frenchman,  could  no  longer  refrain  from  defend 
ing  his  countrymen. 

"  Senor,  do  not  charge  the  Spaniards  with  such 
barbarity.  Their  religious  zeal  may  drive  them 
to  war;  but  they  are  Christians  and  not  savages, 
they  will  not  make  war  on  women  and  children." 

"I  hope  not,"  Ribault  answered,  with  a  sad 
shake  of  his  head  as  if  he  still  doubted.  "  There  is 
on  board  one  of  our  vessels  a  young  girl  who  lost 
her  parents  and  only  brother  in  the  persecutions  of 
the  Huguenots.  Her  father  and  brother  were 


182  SAHfT  AUGUSTINE. 

killed  in  a  riot  and  their  mangled  bodies  dragged 
through  the  streets  before  her  gaze. " 

"Her  name — her  name — "  interrupted  Fran 
cisco. 

"Hortense  Be  Barre." 

Francisco  Estevan  suppressed  a  cry,  and,  turn 
ing  hastily,  quitted  the  fort.  He  was  not  strong 
enough  to  meet  her  now,  and,  like  one  bewildered, 
he  wandered  on  over  hills  and  through  woods  until 
he  came  to  the  village  of  Saturiova.  He  had 
become  a  warm  friend  of  this  chief  and  was  wel 
comed  by  him  to  his  lodge.  Francisco  had  learned 
something  of  the  Indian  tongue  and  could  con 
verse  very  readily  with  the  Indians. 

"More  white  men  have  come  in  the  big  canoes?" 
asked  Saturiova. 

"Yes;  they  come  from  France." 

"And  white  men  will  not  go  away?" 

"No." 

Noticing  that  Estevan  was  in  great  trouble,  he 
sought  to  comfort  him,  but  in  vain.  With  sighs 
and  in  silence  the  student  passed  the  day  in  the 
home  of  the  Indian.  Many  prayers  did  he  utter, 
and  many  times  did  he  bow  before  and  kiss  the 
small  crucifix  which  he  carried  with  him;  but  no 
relief  came  to  his  mind.  Saturiova  sent  his 
daughter,  an  amiable  damsel  of  eighteen,  to  restore 
the  sunlight  to  the  young  white  man's  face;  but 


HORTENSE   DE    BARRE—THE    CLOUD.        133 

the  Indian  beauty  had  no  charm  for  him.  He  re 
tired  to  the  wigwam  set  apart  for  him,  and  after  a 
sleepless  night  rose  early  next  morning,  and,  bidding 
the  chief  adieu,  started  to  return  to  Fort  Carolinia. 

He  had  fortified  himself  with  prayers  and  believed 
himself  strong  enough  to  meet  her;  but,  alas,  how 
often  we  overestimate  our  strength.  As  he  neared 
Fort  Carolinia,  he  found  his  heart  wildly  fluttering, 
and  his  cheek  flushing  with  a  burning  crimson. 

Some  of  the  ships  had  been  hauled  close  in  and 
the  emigrants  debarked.  Munitions  of  war  and 
stores  of  provisions  were  being  unloaded.  Estevan 
slowly  approached  the  fort,  his  heart  still  beating 
wildly.  Pausing  on  the  hilltop  to  gaze  on  the 
animated  scene,  he  saw  men,  women,  and  children 
moving  about  within  the  stockade.  Then  he  caught 
sight  of  a  figure,  which  caused  a  strange  thrill  to 
pass  through  his  already  excited  frame.  A  bit  of 
animated  sunlight  dancing  here  and  there,  flitting 
about  like  a  gold- winged  butterfly.  That  strange 
old  feeling  so  delightful,  and  at  the  same  time  so 
miserable,  once  more  possessed  him.  What  were 
penance  and  prayer,  against  such  an  irresistible 
avalanche  of  emotion? 

With  faltering  step  he  advanced  toward  the  fort, 
asking  himself  how  she  would  greet  him.  For  the 
time  being  the  lover  had  supplanted  the  priest. 

Entering  the  fort,   he  was  greeted    by  strange 


134  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

faces.  Little  bright-eyed  children  were  making 
the  gloomy  place  ring  with  their  merry  prattle.  It 
seemed  as  if  the  birds  which  had  been  driven  from 
the  woods  had  again  returned.  Where  was  Hor- 
tense?  He  was  quite  sure  he  had  seen  her  from 
the  hilltop.  Had  she  fled  at  his  approach?  As 
Estevan  was  going  around  one  of  the  buildings,  a 
voice  suddenly  greeted  his  ear  which  thrilled  him 
anew.  He  paused  and  listened  to  the  words, 
and  anger  and  disgust  began  to  supplant  every 
other  feeling.  Hortense  was  saying: 

"John  Gyrot,  had  I  known  I  should  find  you 
here,  I  would  have  remained  in  France.  Better 
to  die  a  Christian  martyr  at  the  stake  than  suffer 
this  indignity  at  your  hands." 

The  soft,  hypocritical  voice  of  Gyrot,  sounding 
like  the  purr  of  a  tiger,  answered: 

"Mademoiselle  is  excited,  she  must  recover 
her  self-possession.  The  voyage  was  too  much  for 
her." 

"  The  voyage,  tedious  and  uncomfortable  as  it 
was,  was  nothing  compared  to  your  hateful  pres 
ence  for  a  moment.  God  forgive  me — I  loathe  and 
despise  you." 

"Mademoiselle  will  need  a  protector  in  the  wil 
derness  and  I  will  be  her  protector.  Here  is  a  wil 
derness,  a  savage  people,  the  rude  frontiersmen,  and 
the  Spaniards,  all  to  be  guarded  against.  Who, 


HORTENSE   DE   BARRE—THE    CLOUD.        135 

save  the  mademoiselle's  devoted  slave,  should  be 
here  to  protect  her?" 

"  Protect  me,  indeed !  Heaven  deliver  me  from 
such  protection!" 

For  the  first  time  since  Francisco's  acquaintance 
with  Gryrot,  the  Frenchman's  temper  got  the  better 
of  him.  Leaping  at  the  defiant  girl,  he  seized  her 
hand. 

"Hortense  De  Barrel"  he  hissed,  his  hot  breath 
scorching  her  cheek.  "  You  can't  escape  me.  Fate 
has  decreed  that  you  be  mine,  and  mine  you 
shall  be.  Don't  think  that  any  part  of  the  world 
can  conceal  you  from  me." 

"Let  me  go!" 

"Not  until  you  hear  me  through." 

"Wretch,  release  me!" 

"You  shall  listen,  mademoiselle " 

At  this  point  Francisco  Este van  became  irrespon 
sible  for  his  own  acts.  Reason,  judgment,  bigotry, 
and  tradition  were  all  supplanted  by  a  whirlwind  of 
emotions.  Before  he  was  aware  of  what  he  was 
doing,  he  held  the  half-fainting  Hortense  in  his 
arms,  while  at  his  feet  lay  John  Gryrot,  stunned  and 
bleeding.  Francisco  found  himself  uttering  some 
strange,  wild  words,  half  in  Spanish  and  half  in 
French.  He  hardly  knew  what  he  was  saying, 
and  when  he  had  recovered  his  presence  of  mind 
sufficiently  to  remember  anything,  he  could  not 


136  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

recall  a  single  word  he  had  uttered.  He  still 
clung  to  Hortense,  as  if  fearing  they  would  be  sepa 
rated.  He  led  her  away  from  the  fallen  scoundrel 
to  another  part  of  the  fortification,  and,  when  be 
yond  hearing  of  Gyrot's  curses  and  threats,  and 
sight  of  his  ugly  face,  made  more  hideous  by  the 
blackened  eye  and  bleeding  nose,  they  sat  down 
on  a  bench  beneath  an  oak. 

Up  to  this  moment,  Hortense  had  not  spoken  a 
word  since  her  rescue.  Dread  and  amazement  had 
paralyzed  her  powers  of  speech;  but  now  with  eyes 
wide  open  she  gazed  at  him  and  gasped: 

"Monsieur  Estevan!" 

"It  is  I,  senorita,"  he  answered.  "I,  who  left 
you  so  abruptly — so  unkindly,  after  you  had  saved 
my  life  at  the  peril  of  your  own.  Senorita,  I  was 
very  ungrateful — will  you  forgive  me?" 

"  I  have  nothing  to  forgive.  I  am  amazed  to 
find  you  here." 

" I  can  explain  my  presence."  Then  he  told  her 
how  he  was  captured  by  the  French  pirate  and 
brought  to  Florida.  She  listened  with  rapt  atten 
tion  to  the  thrilling  narrative  from  beginning  to  end, 
and,  at  the  conclusion,  said: 

"Terrible,  indeed!  What  sympathy  need  the 
Huguenots  expect,  when  they  set  such  a  dreadful 
example?" 

"Your  best  people  are  not  to  blame,"  replied 


HORTENSE   DE   BARRE—THE    CLOUD.        137 

Francisco.  "I  saw  the  chief  criminals  punished 
with  death  for  the  part  they  had  taken." 

"  What  are  you  going  to  do  now?"  she  asked. 

"I  know  not,"  Francisco  answered.  "The 
return  of  Ribault  with  recruits  and  supplies  has 
deranged  all  plans.  It  was  my  intention  to  go  to 
France  and  from  thence  to  Spain  to  take  passage 
in  the  first  ship  bound  for  the  West  Indies." 

They  spent  the  day  in  each  other's  society 
and  lived  over  again  those  happy  days  at  Beau- 
carre,  and,  notwithstanding,  the  perils  by  which 
they  were  surrounded,  Hortense  was  almost 
happy. 

Next  morning  Estevan  arose  early  and  strolled 
out  upon  the  green  in  front  of  the  house  which 
had  been  erected  by  himself.  The  morn  was  bright 
and  clear,  and  one  would  scarcely  dream  that 
an  awful  night  was  destined  to  follow.  Some 
Catholics  had  come  in  Ribault's  ships,  and  Francisco 
was  conversing  with  one  of  these  on  the  future  of  the 
colony  and  the  propagation  of  their  faith  in  the 
New  World,  when  an  officer  came  up  and  arrested 
the  young  Spaniard. 

"  What  have  I  done,  that  I  should  be  arrested?" 
Francisco  asked. 

"You  assaulted  Monsieur  Gyrot." 

Francisco  had  scarce  given  the  matter  a  moment's 
thought  before.  He  quietly  submitted  to  the  arrest 


138  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

and  a  moment  later  was  put  in  irons.  His  case 
was  more  serious  than  one  might  at  first  suppose. 
Those  petty  governors  had  control  of  the  lives  and 
liberties  of  their  subjects.  He  was  a  Catholic  and 
a  Spaniard,  both  of  which  created  strong  prejudices 
against  him  in  the  Huguenot  colony.  His  friend 
Laudonniere  was  himself  under  a  cloud  and  would 
probably  not  be  able  to  render  him  any  aid,  while 
he  rightly  supposed  that  the  cunning  John  Gryrot 
had  ingratiated  himself  into  the  good  graces  of 
Ribault. 

As  he  was  being  led  along  the  street,  some  one 
suddenly  sprang  before  him,  a  voice  uttered  a  cry 
of  amazement,  and,  like  the  flash  of  a  sunbeam,  the 
pretty,  agitated  face  of  Hortense  was  gazing  into 
his. 

"Is  monsieur  a  prisoner?"  she  asked. 

"I  am,  senorita." 

"For  what  offence?" 

"Striking  Gyrot  while  insulting  you." 

"Shame!  shame!"  cried  the  brave  girl,  her 
large,  beautiful  eyes  swimming  with  tears. 

"Stand  aside,  mademoiselle,  stand  aside,"  com 
manded  the  guard. 

"Monsieur,  they  shall  not  convict  you." 

"If  they  do,  I  will  have  the  approval  of  my 
conscience,  and,  whatever  my  punishment  may  be, 
I  will  bear  it  with  pleasure  for  your  sake." 


HORTENSE   DE   BARRE—THE    CLOUD.        139 

When  Francisco  Estevan  was  arraigned  before 
Ribault  he  was  informed  that  he  was  charged  with 
a  murderous  assault  on  Monsieur  Gyrot. 

"  Oh,  no,  it  was  not  murderous,  monsieur  gov 
ernor,"  whined  a  hypocritical  voice,  and,  turning 
his  eyes  in  that  direction,  Estevan  saw  the  broad, 
low  forehead,  angular  features,  long  black  hair  and 
white  teeth  of  Gyrot,  his  left  eye  badly  blackened. 
He  was  near  Ribault,  rubbing  his  hands,  while  his 
face  was  wreathed  with  smiles  of  mock  sympathy 
for  the  accused. 

"What  have  you  to  say  to  the  charge?"  asked 
Ribault. 

"  I  am  guilty  of  no  penal  offence,  senor.  I  was 
passing  through  the  fort  when  I  heard  a  cry  for 
help — "  began  Francisco,  when  John  Gyrot  inter 
rupted  him  with: 

"  Monsieur  is  the  accused  and  cannot  give  testi 
mony." 

The  trial  had  excited  universal  interest,  and  the 
large  room  designated  as  the  governor's  hall  was 
densely  packed  with  spectators.  Gyrot' s  words  had 
scarcely  died  away  when  a  sweet,  clear  voice  cried : 

"I  can  testify;  I  was  a  witness  to  the  assault." 

It  was  Hortense,  and  a  murmur  went  over  the 
assembly  as  she  crowded  through.  The  impres 
sion  made  by  John  Gyrot  was  not  favorable,  and 
when  it  became  known  that  the  fair  Huguenot  was 


140  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

coming  to  the  relief  of  her  rescuer,  she  was  greeted 
with  a  cheer. 

A  smile  was  on  Gy  rot's  devilish  face  as  he  said: 

"  She  is  under  age  and  cannot  give  evidence, 
governor." 

"You  cannot  be  a  witness,  mademoiselle,"  said 
Kibault.  "  I  am  sorry,  but  Monsieur  Gyrot  has  the 
law  on  his  side." 

Hortense  burst  into  tears,  and  a  scene  followed 
which  beggars  description.  Gyrot,  with  his  de 
moniacal  face  all  aglow  with  triumph,  proceeded  to 
give  his  evidence.  He  made  out  a  clear  case  of  un 
provoked  assault.  He  bore  up  well  under  a  strong 
cross-examination,  and  at  the  conclusion  of  his 
evidence  a  death-like  silence  fell  over  the  court. 

What  sentence  would  Eibault  give  the  young 
Spaniard?  The  lightest  that  could  be  hoped  for 
would  be  banishment  from  the  colony,  which  was 
sure  to  result  in  death  in  the  forest  or  slavery 
among  the  Indians.  Eibault  bowed  his  face  in  his 
hands  like  a  man  who  has  a  disagreeable  task  to 
perform — one  from  which  he  shrinks. 

Suddenly  a  commotion  was  heard  without,  and 
the  voices  of  Laudonni&re  and  D'Erlac  could  be 
heard  saying: 

"  We  must  see  Eibault — we  must  see  the  gov 
ernor." 

Eibault,  hearing  their  demand,  ordered  them  to 


HORTENSE  DE  BARRE—THE   CLOUD.       141 

be  admitted  at  once.  Laudonniere's  face  betrayed 
unusual  excitement  as  he  said: 

"  We  have  no  time  for  petty  trials  for  misde 
meanors,  governor;  for  the  Spanish  with  six  men- 
of-war  are  on  our  coast." 

Cries  of  rage  and  groans  of  despair  went  up 
from  the  colonists  at  the  announcement,  and  it  re 
quired  several  moments  for  Ribault  to  restore  or 
der.  Turning  to  Estevan  he  said: 

"The  execution  of  this  case  will  be  stayed; 
meanwhile  the  prisoner  will  have  his  liberty." 

Ribault  hurried  from  the  hall.  Donning  armor 
and  arms,  he  ran  to  his  boat,  and,  with  half  a 
dozen  oarsmen,  rowed  out  to  the  French  ships, 
which  had  cut  their  cables  and  stood  in  up  the  river 
to  keep  from  being  taken  by  the  Spaniards.  Only 
a  part  of  the  French  fleet  had  put  into  the  river, 
the  remainder  having  stood  out  to  sea.  After  a 
consultation  with  the  officers  of  his  ships,  Ribault 
returned  to  the  fort.  The  Spanish  fleet  could  be 
seen  manoeuvering  along  the  coast;  but  it  was 
uncertain  whether  they  intended  entering  the 
harbor  or  not. 

"  What  are  their  intentions?"  asked  Laudonniere, 
who  was  first  to  greet  the  governor  on  his  return. 

"Extermination,"  was  the  answer.  "They  ran 
up  within  hailing  distance  of  one  of  our  vessels, 
and  demanded  to  know  their  nationality. 


142  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"  '  France,'   was  the  answer. 

" '  And  what  are  you  doing  in  the  territory  of 
King  Philip?'  he  asked.  'Begone!'  he  added. 
Then  a  moment  later  asked:  '  Are  you  Catholics 
or  Lutherans? ' 

"'  Lutherans  of  the  new  religion^'  answered  our 
officer.  '  Now,  what  is  your  errand  to  this  part  of 
the  world  ?  ' 

"The  Spanish  office  replied: 

"'I  am  Pedro  Melendez,  the  commander  of  this 
armament,  which  belongs  to  the  king  of  Spain,  DON 
PHILIP  II.  I  have  come  hither  to  hang  or  destroy 
all  the  Lutherans  whom  I  shall  find  on  land  or 
sea,  according  to  my  orders  received  from  my 
king,  which  are  so  precise  as  to  deprive  me  of  the 
power  of  saving  any  one  whatsoever.  These  orders 
I  shall  execute  to  the  letter;  but  if  I  should  meet 
with  any  Catholic  on  board  your  vessels,  he  shall 
receive  good  treatment.  As  for  the  heretics  they 
shall  die.'" 

At  this  terrible  intelligence,  a  wail  went  up  on 
the  air  from  the  women  and  children;  while  the 
men  shuddered  and  clung  to  their  arms. 

Estevan  stood  a  little  apart  from  the  others; 
while  at  his  side  was  Hortense  De  Barre.  She 
turned  her  white  face  toward  him,  and  a  silent 
tear  stole  down  her  cheek,  as  she  asked: 


HORTENSE  DE  BARRE—THE   CLOUD.       143 

"  Monsieur,  does  your  religion  condemn  me  to 
die?" 

This  question — this  affecting  appeal  was  too 
much  for  the  young  Spaniard,  and,  seizing  her  in 
his  arms,  in  a  voice  which  trembled  with  earnest 
ness  and  emotion,  he  answered: 

"No!  Hortense.  Pope  or  no  pope,  devil  or  no 
devil,  you  shall  be  saved!" 


CHAPTER   IX. 

THE     HURRICANE. 

THE  land  and  sea  shook  with  the  report  of  a 
cannon.  One  of  the  Spanish  ships  was  bearing 
down  on  one  of  the  French  vessels  when  the  lattei 
fired  a  gun  at  her.  The  shot  was  returned,  and 
for  a  few  moments  the  forests  along  the  bay  rang 
with  heavy  cannonading;  then  the  Spanish  fleet 
stood  out  a  little  into  the  road  and  dropped  anchor, 
while  all  became  quiet,  and  the  French  ships  drew 
up  closer  under  the  fort. 

Although  Melendez  touched  at  the  Florida  coast 
on  the  28th  of  August,  it  was  not  until  the  4th  of 
September  that  he  reached  the  May  or  St.  Johns 
River.  His  arrival  with  his  fleet  threw  the  French 
into  a  terrible  state  of  excitement.  A  flock  of 
sheep  hemmed  in  by  a  pack  of  ravenous  wolves 
could  not  have  been  more  excited  than  they  at  this 
moment.  Ribault  called  a  council  of  war,  from 
which  Estevan,  being  a  Spaniard  and  Catholic,  was 
of  course  excluded.  The  council  was  held  in  the 
large  hall  in  which  Estevan  had  been  tried. 

144 


THE   HURRICANE.  145 

"The  situation  is  grave,"  said  Ribault,  "yet  we 
are  Frenchmen,  and  Frenchmen  are  not  cowards. 
Let  us  seriously  deliberate  on  the  best  plan  for  at 
tacking  the  enemy." 

Laudonni&re,  being  asked  his  opinion,  stated: 

"  The  best  we  can  do  is  to  complete  the  works  on 
Fort  Carolinia  in  order  to  protect  the  women  and 
children  of  the  colony.  Then,  as  the  Spanish  ves 
sels  can  not  come  near  enough  to  attack  us,  their 
forces  must  of  necessity  land  on  the  coast.  Let  us 
send  a  strong  detachment  of  troops  by  land  to  fall 
upon  them  while  disembarking." 

At  this  point  of  the  conference,  Eibault  pro 
duced  a  letter  from  Coligni,  advising  him  of  the 
expedition  of  Melendez  and  enjoining  him  to 
suffer  the  Spaniards  to  do  nothing  prejudicial  to 
the  crown  of  France  in  Florida,  and  gave  his  opinion 
for  attacking  the  Spaniards  by  sea.  Nearly  all 
the  council  opposed  this  resolution. 

"It  will  not  do,  monsieur,"  said  Laudonniere. 
"The  season  of  hurricanes  is  approaching,  and 
should  your  fleet  be  caught  in  one  of  these,  you 
would  be  scattered  and  in  all  probability  wrecked. " 

"Yet  most  of  us  are  sailors,"  said  Ribault. 
"  We  equal  the  Spaniards  in  guns  and  courage.  We 
can  suddenly  fall  upon  their  ships  and  sink  them. " 

The  commander  of  the  French  fleet,  Cossel,  and 
Ribault' s  son,  who  was  master  of  one  of  the  vessels, 
10 


146  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

sided  with  Ribau.lt  in  his  proposition  to  attack  by 
sea. 

"It  is  dangerous,"  persisted  Laudonniere,  "It 
will  prove  fatal  to  all  our  plans  and  may  result  in 
the  destruction  of  our  colony.  If  our  forces  are 
divided  they  will  fall  upon  us  and  defeat  us." 
,  "Our  forces  will  not  |?e  divided,"  said  the  de 
termined  Eibault.  "  I  will  take  them  all  to  sea, 
leaving  only  a  sufficient  number  in  the  fort  to  de 
fend  the  women  and  children." 

Estevan,  who  lingered  near  the  door,  heard  this 
stubborn  determination  of  the  governor  of  the 
colony,  and  his  heart  sank  within  him.  He  went 
hurriedly  to  find  Hortense,  whom  he  discovered 
waiting  near  the  gate,  pale  and  trembling. 

"Hortense,  will  you  promise  to  be  very  brave?" 
he  said. 

"What  do  you  mean,  monsieur?"  she  asked. 

"Will  you  trust  me  to  save  you?" 

She  looked  at  him  a  moment,  her  great  blue  eyes 
seeming  to  read  his  heart,  and  then  she  answered : 

"I  will." 

"I  swear  by  all  the  saints  I  will  save  you;  but 
you  must  trust  wholly  in  me." 

"I  trust  alone  in  you  and  God." 

"The  danger  is  greater  than  these  people 
imagine.  Ribault  is  mad.  He  intends  to  attack 
the  Spanish  by  sea,  and  his  forces  will  be  divided. 


THE  HURRICANE.  147 

Even  if  lie  takes  their  ships  he  will  lose  his 
fort." 

"(rod  have  mercy  on  us." 

"But  trust  me,  Hortense,  I  will  save  you.  Say 
nothing  to  any  one  of  this  promise." 

"Will  the  Spaniards  be  so  cruel  as  to  slay  all?" 

"  Melendez  declares  that  they  will.  They  are 
more  devils  than  Christians.  But  night  is  fall 
ing  and  I  must  go.  Whatever  may  happen,  I 
will  return  in  time  to  save  you." 

They  were  alone,  and,  overcome  by  his  over 
whelming  emotion,  the  young  Spaniard  clasped 
her  a  moment  in  his  arms  and  whispered : 

"  No  father,  no  brother,  no  lover  was  ever  more 
watchful  over  the  object  of  his  adoration  than  I 
shall  be." 

He  was  gone,  and  the  shades  of  evening  were 
creeping  over  the  fort.  Long  she  stood  wondering 
where  he  would  go  and  what  his  plan  for  her  safety 
would  be.  A  step  near  at  last  startled  her,  and, 
on  looking  up,  she  saw  John  Gyrot,  who  had  just 
come  from  the  council  hall. 

"Mademoiselle,"  said  Gyrot,  with  a  hypocritical 
attempt  to  appear  very  much  unconcerned,  "  Ribault 
has  decided  to  attack  by  sea.  If  he  does  so,  the 
Spaniards  may  assault  by  land.  Will  not  made 
moiselle  place  herself  under  my  protecting  care?" 

"No;"  and  she  turned  away. 


148  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Mademoiselle  does  not  appreciate  the  danger. 
It  is  great.  Trust  me  and  live." 

"Away!  I  hate  you.  Death  and  Spaniards  are 
preferable!" 

Gyrot  recoiled  before  her  withering  scorn,  and 
slunk  away  from  the  fort,  disappearing  in  the  dark 
ness.  He  had  heard  that  Melendez  would  give 
good  treatment  to  any  of  the  Catholics.  The  prom 
ise  made  a  strong  impression  on  him,  and,  with 
that  wonderful  foresight  which  some  men  possess, 
he  read  the  doom  of  the  French.  He  decided  to 
go  to  Melendez  that  very  night  and  secretly  play 
the  spy  upon  his  people.  He  knew  enough  of  the 
language  for  his  purpose. 

At  midnight  a  form  stole  through  the  wood  to 
the  path  leading  to  a  small  Indian  hamlet  near  the 
sea-coast.  The  person  was  John  Gyrot.  Beach 
ing  the  Indian  village,  he  went  to  one  of  the  miser 
able  lodges  and  roused  an  inmate  with  whom  he 
conversed  for  a  few  moments  in  the  Indian  tongue. 
The  subject  of  their  discussion  was  evidently  a 
very  grave  matter,  for  Gyrot  was  much  in  earnest. 
At  last  the  Indian  yielded  to  his  bribes  and  the  two 
stole  away  toward  the  coast  two  miles  distant, 
where  lay  a  large  canoe  among  some  tall  rushes  in 
the  mouth  of  a  creek.  They  launched  the  boat, 
and,  getting  into  it,  paddled  toward  the  Spanish 
fleet,  which  had  not  yet  weighed  anchor,  directing 


THE   HURRICANE.  149 

the  prow  of  their  craft  to  ward  Melendez'sflag  ship. 
When  a  short  distance  away  they  were  discovered 
and  hailed  by  the  guard  on  deck. 

Gyrot  answered  in  Spanish — boldly  declaring 
himself  a  friend  come  to  see  Melendez.  Melendez 
was  notified  of  the  request  and  ordered  both  to  be 
brought  on  board. 

"Well,  senor,  what  is  the  object  of  this  visit?" 
asked  the  admiral. 

Gyrot  bowed  low,  and,  softly  squeezing  the  palms 
of  his  hands  together,  said: 

"Knowing  the  object  of  the  admiral's  visit  to 
Florida,  and,  being  a  good  Catholic,  I  came  to 
give  what  information  you  may  desire  about  Fort 
Carolinia." 

"Are  you  a  Frenchman?" 

"Yes,  monsieur;  but  a  good  Catholic." 

"You  came  from  the  Huguenot  fort?" 

"Yes,  monsieur;  but  I  am  a  good  Catholic,  be 
lieving  in  the  transubstantiation  of  the  elements 
of  the  bread  and  wine  at  the  consecration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  into  the  real  body  and  blood  of 
Christ.  I  believe  in  the  invocation  and  adoration 
of  the  Virgin  Mary  and  all  the  saints,  as  well  as 
the  sacrifice  of  the  mass  as  now  used  by  the  Church 
at  Rome;  and  I  believe  in  the  infallibility  of  the 
Pope." 

Melendez  was  taken  by  surprise  at  the  unexpected 


X50  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

visit  and  declaration.  After  Gyrot  had  finished, 
he  asked: 

"Why  did  you  come  aboard  my  ship?" 

"  I  learned  your  object  was  to  exterminate  the 
heretics.  I  overheard  the  plans  of  Eibault  for  re 
sisting  and  attacking  the  Catholics,  and  came  to 
inform  monsieur  that  he  might  take  advantage 
accordingly."  Then  Gyrot,  whom  Melendez 
thought  a  worthy  disciple  of  Judas  Iscariot,  pro 
ceeded  to  relate  the  plans  of  Eibault  for  attacking 
him  at  sea,  leaving  only  a  slender  garrison  on  land. 
"When  the  Spaniard  had  heard  Eibault' s  plan,  he 
ordered  anchor  hoisted  and  the  fleet  was  got  under 
way. 

The  departure  of  the  Spaniards  was  witnessed 
by  Cossel,  who  at  once  reported  to  Eibault,  which 
more  than  ever  determined  the  commandant  to 
attack  by  sea.  Eibault  was  a  sailor  and  accus 
tomed  to  making  the  deck  of  his  ship  his  battle 
field,  and  he  deserves  not  the  censure  for  his  mode 
of  attack  accorded  him  by  some  historians. 

He  mustered  his  men,  and  at  roll-call  John  Gyrot 
was  missing.  Where  was  he?  No  one  knew, 
and  certainly  no  one  guessed  that  he  was  at  that 
very  moment  on  board  the  ship  of  Melendez. 

Laudonniere  was  left  in  the  fort  with  but  fifty 
men  to  protect  the  women  and  children;  but 
Laudonniere  was  himself  sick  and  not  above  twenty 


THE   HURRICANE.  151 

of  his  command  were  fit  for  active  service.  While 
Eibault  was  making  preparations  to  attack  Helen- 
dez  by  sea,  an  Indian  came  with  the  intelligence 
that  the  Spaniards  had  landed  at  a  river  several 
miles  south  of  Fort  Carolinia,  and  were  laying  out 
a  town  and  building  a  fort  for  their  defence. 

This  Indian  was  the  savage  who  had  accompanied 
Gyrot,  and  he  had  been  sent  to  play  the  part  of  a 
spy  on  the  Frenchmen. 

Bibault  hastened  all  his  force,  save  the  small  gar 
rison  left  to  defend  the  fort,  on  board  the  ships. 
The  Trinity,  his  largest  vessel,  was  yet  at  sea, 
having  been  chased  out  by  the  approach  of  the 
Spaniards,  who  were  unable  to  take  her.  Mendoza, 
the  Spanish  chaplain,  said  of  the  officers  and  sailors 
of  this  ship: 

"  These  enraged  devils  are  such  adroit  seamen, 
and  manceuvered  so  well,  that  we  could  not  take 
one  of  them." 

The  fiery  Ribault,  disregarding  the  advice  of  a 
majority  of  his  councillors,  sailed  out  of  the  river 
and  down  the  straight  coast  in  full  expectation  of 
gaining  a  complete  victory.  They  came  insight  of 
the  Spaniards  in  the  river  about  the  middle  of  the 
afternoon  and  began  to  tack  against  an  unfavorable 
breeze  to  get  at  them;  but  a  dead  calm  follow 
ing  the  discovery,  aided  by  a  low  tide,  made  it 
impossible  to  reach  them.  The  sun  went  down 


152  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

behind  the  swamps  and  forests  leaving  them  within 
two  miles  of  the  enemy. 

"  We  shall  have  wind  and  tide  to  aid  us  in  the 
morning,"  said  Eibault  to  his  officers,  "and  then 
we  will  teach  the  king  of  Spain  a  lesson." 

Had  wind  and  tide  favored  him,  Kibault  might 
have  made  good  his  boast;  but,  alas,  as  every 
sailor  on  the  southern  coast  of  the  United  States 
knows,  the  dead  calm  too  often  precedes  a  storm. 
Eibault,  having  made  everything  snug  on  his  ves 
sel,  had  retired  to  his  cabin  to  snatch  a  little  sleep, 
and  had  just  sunk  into  a  gentle  slumber,  when 
Cossel  awoke  him,  saying: 

"It  has  begun  to  blow,  monsieur.  Hadn't  we 
better  stand  off  the  shore?  " 

"Yes."     Eibault  rose  and  dressed  hurriedly. 

By  the  time  he  had  gained  the  deck  the  wind 
was  roaring  like  so  many  demons  through  the 
rigging  of  the  vessel ;  while  the  waves  were  bound 
ing  like  race-horses  in  their  wake. 

"Can  we  hold  the  fleet  together?"  Eibault 
asked  Cossel,  whom  he  found  on  deck  issuing 
orders  with  remarkable  coolness. 

"I  fear  not,"  the  sailor  answered. 

"Who  is  at  the  helm?" 

"  Trenchant.  He  is  the  most  experienced  pilot 
we  have." 

"It  blows  hard,  Cossel," 


THE  HURRICANE.  153 

"It  does,  monsieur;  but  I  hope  it  will  not  last 
long." 

"I  wish  it  would  clear;  but  I  doubt  it  much. 
I  was  once  in  a  hurricane  in  the  East  Indies,  and 
the  beginning  had  much  the  same  appearance  as 
this.  So  take  in  your  topsails  and  give  yourself 
plenty  of  sea-room." 

At  midnight  the  storm  was  still  raging  they 
wore  ship  to  keep  away  from  the  dangerous  shoals 
and  reefs.  At  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  the 
gale  was  still  increasing.  At  two  it  blew  harder. 
They  reefed  the  courses  and  furled  them,  and 
stood  to  the  northward. 

Kibault  gazed  out  at  the  sea  lashed  to  foam, 
hoping  every  friendly  blaze  of  lightning  might  give 
him  a  glimpse  of  the  other  vessels.  At  last,  as 
the  sky  and  sea  were  lighted  by  one  of  these  streaks 
of  liquid  flame,  he  saw  far  to  their  larboard  a 
single  sail.  "Was  that  all  of  the  gallant  fleet  which, 
a  few  hours  before,  he  had  arrayed  against  the 
Spaniards?  Three  of  the  smaller  ships,  on  board 
one  of  which  was  Eibault's  son,  hugged  the  shore 
until  morning,  and  entered  the  river  below  Fort 
Carolinia. 

There  was  nothing  for  Ribault  to  do  but  pre 
pare,  as  best  he  could,  to  weather  the  storm.  All 
the  sails  were  secured  with  spare  gaskets,  good 
rolling  tackle  upon  the  yards,  the  booms  were 


154  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

squared  and  all  the  bolts  made  fast,  the  guns 
doubly  lashed  and,  in  fact,  everything  possible  was 
done  to  make  the  ship  snug. 

At  dawn  of  day  the  hurricane  was  roaring,  and 
the  sea  so  rough  it  seemed  as  if  the  vessel  must 
founder.  The  birds  now  began  to  find  the  uproar 
in  the  elements  too  much  for  them;  for  numbers, 
both  sea  and  land  kinds,  came  on  board  the  strug 
gling,  groaning  ship.  When  they  dropped  upon 
the  deck,  exhausted  from  their  efforts  to  fly  against 
the  wind,  they  did  not  attempt  to  stir  until  picked 
up,  and  when  let  go  they  would  not  leave  the  ship, 
but  endeavored  to  hide  themselves  from  the  wind. 

"It  blows  a  hurricane,  Cossel,"  said  Eibault. 

" It  does  indeed ,  monsieur." 

"I  don't  remember  ever  seeing  it  blow  so  hard 
before.  We  must  wear  ship  a  little  as  the  wind  has 
shifted,  and  we  are  drawing  right  down  upon  the 
coast." 

It  was  difficult  to  change  the  course  of  the  ves 
sel  in  such  a  storm ;  but,  after  considerable  danger 
and  the  loss  of  one  man,  they  succeeded,  though  the 
ship  did  not  make  as  good  weather  on  this  as  on 
the  other  tack ;  for  the  sea  began  to  run  across  her, 
and  she  had  not  time  to  rise  before  another  dashed 
against  her. 

All  day  long  the  tempest  raged,  and  with  the 
coming  of  night  it  seemed  to  increase. 


THE   HURRICANE.  155 

Even  Eibault  was  almost  in  despair.  He  saw 
the  easy  victory  snatched  from  his  grasp  by  the 
fury  of  the  hurricane,  and  now  his  fleet  was  scat 
tered — where,  he  knew  not.  With  his  pale,  stoical 
face  turned  toward  the  terrific  blast,  he  stood  in 
the  extreme  forward  part  of  his  ship,  rising  and 
sinking  with  the  motion  of  the  vessel.  Could  it 
be  that  fate  had  set  the  seal  of  doom  against  him? 

"Monsieur,  the  vessel  is  leaking,"  said  Cossel. 

"Man  the  pumps!" 

"The  pumps  are  already  at  work." 

Another  ugly  sea,  and  the  water  was  gaining  on 
them  rapidly.  They  had  broken  one  of  the 
chains;  but  it  was  soon  mended.  A  sailor  was 
sent  to  report  how  deep  the  water  was  in  the  hold. 

"It  still  gains  on  us,  "he  answered  on  returning. 
"  There  is  back  water  from  the  leeward  half-way 
up  the  quarter-deck,  the  ship  is  on  her  beam  ends, 
and  is  not  attempting  to  right  again,  so  the  men 
cannot  stand  at  the  pumps." 

The  vessel  evidently  was  doomed.  Some  one 
suggested  cutting  away  the  masts  as  the  only  pos 
sible  means  of  saving  the  craft ;  but  at  this  moment 
a  violent  sea  broke  right  on  board,  carrying  away 
everything  on  deck  and  filling  the  hold  with 
water.  The  main  and  mizzen  masts  went,  and  the 
ship  righted;  but  it  was  the  last  struggle;  she  was 
sinking.  As  soon  as  Ribault  could  shake  his 


156  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

head  clear  lie  saw  the  gallant  Cossel  still  on  deck 
and  Trenchant  at  the  helm,  which  he  had  never 
deserted,  and  he  said: 

"Noble  fellows,  it  is  all  in  vain!  we  are  gone — 
foundered  at  sea!" 

"Yes,  monsieur,  farewell,  and  may  the  Lord 
have  mercy  on  our  souls." 

Eibault  then  turned  to  look  about  the  ship  and 
saw  that  she  was  struggling  to  get  rid  of  some  of 
the  water;  but  it  was  all  in  vain — she  was  al 
most  full  below.  He  began  to  pray: 

"  Almighty  God !  I  thank  Thee  that  now  I  am 
leaving  this  world  which  I  have  always  considerd 
as  only  a  passage  to  the  better.  I  die  with  the 
full  hope  of  Thy  mercies,  through  the  merits  of 
Jesus  Christ  Thy  Son,  our  Saviour!" 

Kibault  regretted  that  he  could  swim,  as  it  was 
only  natural  for  a  man  to  struggle  for  his  life  as 
long  as  he  could,  and  the  act  of  swimming  would 
probably  prolong  his  misery. 

These  sad  reflections  were  put  to  an  end  by  a 
sudden  thump  of  the  vessel  and  the  sound  of  her 
keel  grinding  on  the  sand. 

"Monsieur,  the  ship  is  ashore  and  we  may  save 
ourselves  yet,"  cried  Cossel. 

The  roar  of  the  waves  could  be  heard  upon  the 
sandy  beach,  and  the  phosphorescent,  flashing 
spray,  like  flames  leaping  from  hell,  burst  on  their 


THE  HURRICANE.  157 

startled  view.  By  this  time  the  quarter-deck  was 
full  of  men  flying  up  from  below  crying: 

"Lord  God,  have  mercy  on  us!" 

Everybody  was  sensible  of  the  fact  that  the  ship 
was  on  shore,  for  every  surging  billow  threatened 
her  destruction.  She  was  driven  stern  into  the 
sand,  the  bow  breaking  the  sea  to  a  considerable 
extent,  though  it  was  washing  clear  over  at  every 
surge.  Eibault,  who  was  still  cool,  seeing  their 
peril  cried: 

"Keep  to  the  quarter-deck;  when  she  goes  to 
pieces  it  is  your  best  chance." 

Day  dawned  at  last  and  the  rising  sun  fell  on  a 
large  group  of  dripping  castaways  gazing  on  the 
fragments  of  wreck  strewn  along  the  beach.  They 
were  Ribault  and  his  brave  seamen. 


CHAPTER  X. 


SAINT    AUGUSTINE. 

MELENDEZ  or  Menendez  (as  the  name  is  some 
times  spelled)  was  a  native  of  Avila  in  Spain,  and 
at  this  period  of  our  story  was  about  forty-six 
years  of  age.  He  had  al 
ready  risen  to  the  highest 
rank  in  the  Spanish  navy 
and  was  a  man  of  immense 
fortune.  He  commanded 
the  vessel  which  in  1554 
bore  his  king  to  England 
to  marry  Queen  Mary ;  and 
in  1561,  he  commanded  the 
great  treasure  fleet  of  gal 
leons  on  their  voyage  from 
Mexico  to  Spain.  One  of  the  vessels,  containing 
his  son  and  several  relatives  and  friends,  disap 
peared  and  was  never  heard  from.  Having  de 
livered  the  fleet  in  Spain,  he  asked  permission  to 
go  in  search  of  the  lost  vessel  and  his  son,  but 
was  refused.  After  repeated  solicitations,  however, 
158 


\ 
MELENDEZ. 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE.  159 

when  two  or  three  years  had  elapsed,  his  urgent 
request  was  granted,  provided  he  should  at  the 
same  time  explore  and  colonize  Florida.  He  fitted 
out  an  expedition  at  his  own  expense;  but  when  he 
was  about  to  sail,  orders  came  for  him  to  extermi 
nate  all  Protestants  he  might  find  there,  or  in  what 
ever  corner  of  the  earth  he  should  discover  them. 

King  Philip  learned  that  the  Huguenots,  flying 
from  the  persecutions  in  France,  were  hiding  in 
the  forests  beyond  the  Atlantic,  and  his  zeal  being 
kindled  for  the  denomination  of  his  church,  he 
determined  to  destroy  the  heretics  in  this  way. 
The  sailor  had  no  alternative  but  to  obey  or  lose 
the  opportunity  of  searching  for  his  son.  It  is  said 
by  some  historians,  who  seek  to  throw  a  mantle  of 
charity  over  the  actions  of  Melendez,  that  not  even 
this  alternative  was  left  him;  for  disobedience  in 
that  rigorous  age  would  have  led  to  dungeons  and 
the  Inquisition.  We  are  led  to  believe,  however, 
that  Melendez  entered  as  heartily  into  the  bloody 
work  as  did  his  king.  Eegarding  it  as  a  holy 
enterprise,  the  king  added  ships  and  treasure. 
Soldiers  and  seamen  nocked  to  the  standard  of 
Melendez  in  great  numbers,  and  he  sailed  with  a 
fleet  of  eleven  ships  (one  of  them  a  galleon  of  nine 
hundred  tons)  with  over  twenty-six  hundred  per 
sons,  consisting,  besides  soldiers  and  sailors,  of 
adventurers  and  priests. 


160  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

This  was  the  armament  of  the  sailing  of  which 
Ribault  had  been  warned  by  Coligni.  Storms  and 
disasters  scattered  the  fleet  so  that  when  it  arrived 
on  the  coast  of  Florida,  it  was  reduced  to  a  squad 
ron  of  only  five  vessels,  one  of  them  (the  great 
ship)  bearing  about  a  thousand  persons  of  all 
descriptions. 

His  first  landing  on  the  coast  of  Florida,  after 
leaving  May  River,  was  the  occasion  of  a  pompous 
ceremonial.  As  he  disembarked  from  the  great 
ship  in  a  boat  with  six  oarsmen,  accompanied  by 
Mendoza,  his  chaplain,  and  followed  by  other 
boats,  filled  with  gentlemen  and  ecclesiastics,  loud 
trumpets  sounded,  drums  beat,  cannon  thundered, 
and  flags  were  displayed  on  the  ships  and  on  the 
shore,  where  his  soldiers  had  already  begun  the 
construction  of  a  fort. 

John  Gyrot,  who  was  playing  the  part  of  a  zealous 
Catholic,  and  who,  by  his  cunning  and  address, 
had  already  ingratiated  himself  into  the  favor  of 
the  Spanish  admiral,  was  permitted  to  accompany 
him  to  the  shore  and  take  part  in  the  pompous 
ceremonial. 

When  they  reached  the  beach,  the  chaplain 
walked  before,  bearing  a  large  cross  and  chanting 
a  hymn.  Melendez  followed  with  his  own  train, 
carrying  aloft  with  his  own  hand  the  royal  standard. 
He  and  his  followers  reverently  knelt  before  the 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE.  161 

priest,  who  was  arrayed  in  rich  sacerdotal  robes,  and 
kissed  the  sacred  emblem  of  the  atonement,  which 
Mendoza  held  in  his  hand.  Then  the  cross  was 
firmly  planted  in  the  sand  by  the  side  of  the  flag 
staff,  from  which  fluttered  the  royal  banners  in  the 
gentle  breeze,  and  a  shield  bearing  the  arms  of 
Spain  was  leaned  against  the  cross.  Then  Mel  en - 
dez  drew  his  sword  and  formally  took  possession  of 
the  whole  country  in  the  name  of  King  Philip  of 
Spain.  The  Spanish  conquerors  never  lacked  in 
religious  zeal  and  pompous  ceremony.  From  Co 
lumbus  down  to  Melendez,  every  conquest  of 
nation  or  territory  was  begun  with  a  gorgeous  re 
ligious  ceremony. 

On  that  spot,  and  with  such  consecration,  were 
laid  the  foundations  of  the  city  of  St.  Augustine, 
in  Florida,  forty  years  earlier  than  any  other  town 
in  America  north  of  Mexico.  This  town,  small 
and  insignificant  as  it  is  from  a  business  point  of 
view,  possesses  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  in 
the  United  States.  It  was  named  St.  Augustine 
after  the  river  Dauphin,  which  Melendez  gave  the 
name  of  St.  Augustine,  because  he  discovered  it 
on  that  saint's  day,  prior  to  reconnoitering  the 
French  fort  Carolinia. 

Work  was  at  once  commenced  on  the  fort,  and 
the  Spaniards,  fully  appreciating  the  necessity  of 
having  a  place  of  security,  labored  with  unremit- 
11 


162  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

ting  zeal.  Gyrot  still  remained  with  the  Spaniards; 
but  the  Indian  had  wandered  off,  and  gone  to  Fort 
Carolinia  to  report  what  the  Spaniards  were  doing, 
as  we  have  seen. 

"I  should  like  to  talk  with  monsieur,"  said 
Gyrot  to  Melendez  the  day  work  was  commenced 
on  the  fort. 

"What  would  senor  say?"  asked  Melendez. 

"  Had  I  not  better  return  to  Carolinia?  May  not 
my  absence  rouse  suspicion?" 

Melendez  was  not  sure  he  could  trust  Gyrot,  and 
he  asked: 

"Do  you  intend  to  betray  us?" 

"  No,  monsieur.  I  only  want  to  return  to  soothe 
the  fears  of  my  people  by  assuring  them  that  the 
Spaniards  have  abandoned  the  coast." 

"I  don't  believe  I  can  trust  you." 

"I  swear,  monsieur,  by  all  the  saints  that  I  am 
loyal  to  you.  Will  you  not  take  the  oath  of  a 
true  Catholic,  who  believes  in  the  transubstantiation 
of  the  bread  and  wine  into  the  real  body  and  blood 
of  Christ,  who  prays  to  the  Virgin  Mary  and  the 
saints,  and  is  a  believer  in  the  sacrifices  of  mass  as 
practised  at  Rome,  who  knows  the  Pope  to  be 
infallible?  On  the  holy  cross,  I  swear  to  be  true 
and  loyal  to  Melendez." 

In  the  age  of  superstition  and  bigotry,  perjury, 
it  was  thought,  would  be  visited  by  immediate 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE.  163 

punishment  at  the  hand  of  God.  Deliberate,  bold 
perjury  was  not  so  common  as  it  is  in  the  present 
age  of  skepticism. 

Melendez,  if  he  lived  at  this  day,  would  put 
little  faith  in  the  pretensions  and  oaths  of  Gyrot; 
but  the  Melendez  of  1565  was  quite  a  different 
personage. 

Upon  the  cross  Gyrot  swore  to  be  faithful  to  the 
Spaniards  and  to  do  whatsoever  he  could  to  bring 
confusion  and  disaster  on  the  heretics.  In  return 
he  asked  Melendez  that  a  certain  maiden,  Hortense 
De  Barre,  should  be  given  to  him.  Finally  the 
Spanish  commandant  agreed  to  all  he  asked. 
After  these  solemn  promises  and  the  awful  com 
pact  to  be  sealed  in  the  innocent  blood  of  his  coun 
trymen,  John  Gyrot  took  his  departure  on  the 
evening  of  the  9th  of  September,  1565,  and  set 
out  across  the  country  for  Fort  Carolinia,  his  mind 
busy  with  cunning  schemes  for  bringing  disaster 
upon  the  French. 

Work  was  progressing  on  the  fort  next  day,  the 
10th  of  September,  when  the  vessels  of  Ribault 
hove  in  sight.  Though  his  works  were  far  from 
complete,  Melendez  retired  within  them,  determined 
to  stand  on  his  defence.  The  tide  was  out  and 
there  was  a  dead  calm;  so  they  had  little  to  fear 
before  morning.  Eibault  was  a  desperate  sea 
man  and  one  well  calculated  to  inspire  dread  in  the 


164  SAINT  AUGUSTINE 

hearts  of  the  Spaniards.  Mendoza  performed  mass, 
and  officers  and  soldiers  prayed  for  aid  from 
Heaven  in  defeating  the  enemies  of  the  Holy 
Catholic  church. 

To  them  it  always  seemed  as  if  God  answered 
their  prayers;  for,  as  we  have  seen,  a  terrible 
hurricane  rose,  and  the  French  fleet  was  driven 
away  and  hopelessly  scattered.  When  morning 
came,  Melendez  summoned  all  his  officers  and  a 
great  many  of  his  soldiers  about  him.  Although 
some  of  their  own  shipping  had  suffered  by  the 
storm,  he  treated  it  as  a  providential  interference 
in  their  behalf. 

"See  how  good  God  is  to  us,"  he  said.  "Our 
enemies  surrounded  us;  we  were  weaker  than 
they ;  but  God  sent  the  hurricane  which  scattered 
them.  The  hurricane  was  a  divine  judgment  upon 
the  heretics,  and  who  shall  say  that  we  will  fail, 
when  God  fights  our  battles?  So  long  as  we  do 
His  holy  will  we  shall  triumph,  and  it  is  His  wish 
that  we  destroy  all  who  deny  the  faith  and  despise 
the  Pope.  It  is  the  will  of  God  that  we  attack 
Fort  Carolinia  by  land.  The  good  Catholic  whom 
Heaven  sent  us  has  told  us  how  weak  is  the  fort. 
Laudonniere  is  there  with  not  over  forty  men, 
while  Kibault,  with  all  the  others,  has  been 
driven  to  sea.  Let  us,  the  instruments  of  God's 
vengeance,  fall  upon  and  exterminate  the  heretics. " 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE.  165 

Notwithstanding  the  religious  zeal  and  enthu 
siasm  of  Melendez,  there  was  at  first  some  opposi 
tion  to  his  plan.  Laudonniere,  the  old  battle- 
scarred  veteran,  was  there,  and,  sick  and  weak  as 
he  might  be,  he  was  a  host  in  himself;  but  Melen 
dez  assured  them  that  he  had  from  Gyrot  positive 
proof  that  Laudonniere  was  two  feeble  to  make 
much  resistance. 

After  a  warm  debate,  the  counsel  at  last  con 
sented  to  the  attack.  The  hurricane  had  been 
accompanied  by  a  tremendous  rain-storm,  and  the 
low  lands  were  in  many  places  overflowed,  while 
sluggish  streams  were  swollen  until  they  were  out 
of  their  banks. 

With  his  heart  fired  with  bigoted  zeal,  and  in 
the  insane  belief  that  he  was  doing  the  will  of  God, 
Melendez  selected  five  hundred  men  and  made 
every  preparation  for  the  march  and  battle.  A  small 
party  was  sent  to  reconnoiter  and  secure  a  native 
guide.  They  returned  next  day  with  an  Indian 
who  promised  to  lead  them  safely  to  the  French. 

"If  you  betray  us,  1  will  slay  you,"  said 
Melendez  through  his  interpreter. 

"I  will  conduct  you.  in  safety,"  the  Indian 
answered. 

It  was  still  raining  hard,  and  some  of  the 
officers  tried  to  prevail  on  Melendez  to  wait  until 
the  weather  cleared  a  little, 


166  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"No;  God  commands  that  we  act  at  once,"  he 
said.  "  We  cannot  slight  the  opportunity  offered 
us.  Besides,  the  storm  will  cover  our  approach ; 
for  what  Frenchman  would  think  of  an  attack  in 
such  weather?" 

After  mass,  Melendez  put  himself  at  the  head  of 
the  five  hundred  men  armed  with  matchlocks, 
lances,  battle-axes,  swords  and  crossbows,  and, 
leaving  the  fort  in  charge  of  his  brother  and  the 
ships  in  charge  of  the  vice-admiral,  he  set  forth 
through  the  rain,  guided  by  the  Indian.  The 
road  was  a  path  through  the  everglades  and  swamps. 
They  could  only  travel  in  single  file,  and  in  places 
were  compelled  to  build  rafts  or  cross  streams  on 
logs.  At  the  close  of  the  first  day  they  met  the 
two  Spaniards  who  had  been  rescued  from  slavery 
by  Laudonniere,  and  who  were  now  about  to 
reward  his  kindness  by  betraying  the  fort.  They 
might  have  remained  neutral  in  the  conflict,  had 
not  John  Gyrot,  on  his  return  to  the  fort,  urged 
them  to  go  to  the  aid  of  their  countrymen. 

At  first  they  were  supposed  to  be  Frenchmen, 
and  Melendez  was  about  to  order  their  execution, 
when  he  was  convinced  by  one  that  they  were 
Spaniards. 

"If  Spaniards,  why  are  you  here?"  he  asked. 

"We  were  many  years  slaves  among  the  In 
dians,"  explained  one. 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE.  167 

"And  but  just  escaped?" 

"  Our  freedom  was  purchased  by  Laudonniere, 
the  French  commandant  at  Fort  Carolinia." 

"And  you  come  from  there?" 

"Yes,  senor." 

"What  is  the  condition  of  the  fort?" 

"  Poor;  you  will  have  but  little  resistance.  Only 
the  sick,  the  women  and  the  children  were  left 
there." 

"Have  none  of  the  ships  returned?" 

"Three  small  ones  managed  to  escape  the  hurri 
cane  and  are  now  anchored  at  the  mouth  of  May 
Kiver." 

A  consultation  was  held  in  the  pouring  rain, 
and,  despite  the  report  of  the  Spaniards,  some  of 
the  officers  were  opposed  to  advancing  further. 

"It  is  madness  to  proceed,"  said  one  of  the 
captains.  "  The  rain  increases,  the  streams  grow 
wider,  and  travel  is  more  difficult  as  we  advance." 

"  You  lack  courage  and  the  zeal  of  a  true  Chris 
tian  to  advise  a  retreat  at  this  hour,"  said  Melendez, 
in  a  tone  of  rebuke. 

"Admiral,  the  men  are  exhausted  and  hungry." 

"A  few  hours'  rest  will  refresh  them." 

"They  must  have  food." 

"There  is  abundance  at  Fort  Carolinia." 

Again  they  took  up  the  line  of  march  and 
tramped  on  through  mud  and  rain  until  night. 


168  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Some  of  the  bayous  were  so  swollen  that  they  were 
compelled  to  go  long  distances  around  them,  mak 
ing  many  miles  of  extra  travel.  "When  a  halt  was 
called,  the  men  sank  down  on  the  earth  exhausted, 
supperless,  with  no  bed  but  the  wet  ground,  no 
roof  save  the  dripping  branches,  soothed  only  by 
the  damp  wind  soughing  among  the  palms.  During 
the  night,  it  rained  in  fitful  showers  which  drenched 
the  suffering  soldiers  to  the  skin.  Melendez  fared 
no  better  than  his  men,  and  all  the  sleep  he  got 
was  while  leaning  against  a  tree. 

When  morning  dawned,  the  soldiers  refused  to 
go  further.  Melendez  was  first  made  aware  of  the 
mutiny  by  the  captain  who  led  the  van,  reporting 
that  his  men  refused  to  advance.  The  admiral 
hurried  forward  to  the  sullen  group  of  soldiers, 
and,  fixing  his  powerful  eyes  on  them,  demanded: 

"What  means  this?" 

"  We  will  go  no  further,"  said  one  of  the  soldiers, 
who,  by  general  consent,  acted  as  spokesman. 
"We  are  starving  and  fatigued,  and  our  only  food 
is  the  wild  fruit,  our  bed  the  wet  ground,  and 
every  hour  we  are  drenched  with  pouring  rain. 
We  are  too  sick  and  faint  to  fight,  our  powder  is 
damp  and  spoiled,  and  we  are  being  marched 
against  a  fort  with  cannon  and  guns  to  be  sacrificed 
like  sheep." 

For  a  moment  the  face  of  Melendez  was  dark  with 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE.  169 

fury.  He  laid  his  hand  on  his  sword  and  was 
almost  on  the  point  of  drawing  his  blade  and  run 
ning  the  mutineer  through  the  body ;  but  Melendez 
was  an  excellent  judge  of  human  nature,  and  he 
perceived  that  such  a  course  would  be  dangerous 
to  his  plans.  The  mutineers  were  determined,  and 
the  death  of  one  would  not  overcome  them.  Many 
of  the  officers  were  in  sympathy  with  them,  and 
the  threatened  mutiny  might  become  an  open 
revolt.  Controlling  his  anger,  he  began  in  a  mild 
tone: 

"Your  hardships  have  been  great;  you  have 
marched  in  mud  and  rain  through  an  unknown 
wilderness,  sustained  by  very  little  food ;  but  your 
hardships  are  no  greater  and  your  sufferings  no 
more  than  were  endured  by  your  countrymen 
under  Cortez  of  Mexico  and  Pizarro  in  Peru.  They 
marched  into  an  unknown  country,  through  cold, 
heat  and  rain;  they  conquered  and  became  rich. 
You  have  no  food;  there  is  abundance  at  Fort 
Carolinia.  You  want  shelter  from  the  rain ;  there  is 
shelter  within  the  fort.  The  two  Spaniards  who 
escaped  and  came  to  us,  as  well  as  the  Catholic 
Frenchman,  assure  us  that  there  is  much  gold  at 
Fort  Carolinia,  gathered  from  the  Indians.  There 
are  heaps  of  gold  in  bars  and  ingots  for  every  brave 
and  faithful  man  who  has  the  courage  to  go  forward 
and  take  it,  Cortez  and  Pizarro,  with  but  a  hand- 


170  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

ful  of  men,  marched  against  the  serried  ranks  of 
countless  thousands,  and  conquered,  because  God 
commanded  them  to  go.  We  are  marching  against 
a  handful  of  sick  men,  poorly  garrisoned,  and 
wholly  unaware  of  our  presence.  Shame  on  those 
who  hesitate  from  cowardice;  more  shame  on  those 
who  refuse  God's  command.  Come!  All  who 
are  true  Spaniards,  follow  me,  and  God  will  pro 
tect  you!" 

Gradually  Melendez  had  warmed  up  in  his 
speech,  his  enthusiasm  swaying  every  heart,  until, 
at  the  close  of  his  harangue,  every  soldier  in  the 
ranks  was  shouting: 

"On  to  Carolinia!     Death  to  the  heretics!" 

The  army  was  soon  again  on  the  march,  and 
pressed  on  for  four  or  five  hours,  when  they  were 
met  by  Gyrot,  who  had  come  with  some  final 
instructions  and  information  as  to  the  attack. 

"  The  fort  is  near, "  he  said.  "  Make  your  attack 
to-night,  while  all  sleep,  and  the  victory  will  be 
easy. " 

"Has  any  rumor  of  our  approach  reached  the 
fort?"  asked  Melendez. 

"No;  the  disappearance  of  the  Spaniards  caused 
some  comment;  but  they  do  not  dream  of  an  attack 
by  land." 

"Have  they  ships  in  the  harbor?" 


SAINT   AUGUSTINE.  171 

"Three;  but  they  are  small  craft,  and  will  do 
you  no  harm." 

"Have  they  news  of  Kibault?" 

"No,  monsieur;  and  they  fear  that  he  and  his 
ships  are  lost  at  sea.  Is  Francisco  Estevan  with 
you?" 

"No;  who  is  he?" 

"  He  is  a  Spaniard,  proselyted  to  the  Huguenot 
faith,  and  a  warm  friend  of  Laudonni&re.  He  is 
no  doubt  a  spy  watching  to  betray  you." 

"  In  that  case  I  would  rather  hang  him  than  any 
other  heretic." 

John  Gyrot  then  gave  the  Spaniards  the  plans  of 
the  fort,  and  left  them  to  return  and  report  that 
there  was  no  enemy  in  the  wood.  Night  set  in, 
dark  and  rainy,  and  the  Spaniards  carefully 
advanced  to  within  a  few  hundred  paces  of  the  fort 
and  halted  to  await  John  Gyrot's  signal.  The  his 
torian  hesitates  to  record  the  awful  event  at  Fort 
Carolinia  on  that  fatal  September  21st,  1565. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

A   REIGN  OF   TERROR. 

A  FEELING  of  uneasiness  pervaded  the  garrison 
at  Fort  Carolinia.  Laudonni&re,  who  had  not 
recovered  from  his  illness,  rose  from  bed  and  went 
about  the  fort,  notwithstanding  his  friends  Challus 
and  Le  Mojne  tried  to  keep  him  in  out  of  the  pelt 
ing  rain. 

"I  cannot,"  he  said,  "I  feel  an  impression  that 
all  is  not  right.  Something  terrible  is  going  to 
happen.  Has  no  news  come  from  Ribault?" 

"None." 

"God  pity  us  if  we  should  be  attacked  in  our 
wretched  condition." 

"You  are  weak  and  ill,  monsieur,"  said  Le 
Moyne. 

"It  is  my  great  responsibility — the  helpless  wo 
men  and  children  I  have  in  my  keeping  that  makes 
me  wretched  and  anxious." 

"There  is  no  need  to  fear,  monsieur.  Three  of 
the  vessels  have  returned  and  are  in  the  harbor. 

172 


A   REIGN  OF  TERROR.  173 

These  will  keep  the  enemy  from  attacking  by  sea, 
and  we  need  expect  them  from  no  other  quarter." 

"They  may  attack  by  land." 

"Impossible,  monsieur.  They  would  never  find 
their  way  across  the  country." 

"They  may  have  a  guide." 

"Who?" 

"  We  may  have  a  traitor  among  us. " 

"A  traitor!  impossible!"  They  all  three  went 
under  a  long  shed  on  which  the  rain  continued  its 
unceasing  patter,  running  off  by  small  gutter- 
spouts  which  carried  it  to  the  ditch  that  drained  the 
fort.  Laudonniere,  after  a  long  silence  said,  "I 
may  do  wrong  to  call  him  a  traitor;  yet  after  all  I 
have  been  to  him  it  would  seem  ill  return  to  betray 
me  in  my  weakness." 

"  Of  whom  do  you  speak,  monsieur?" 

"  A  young  Spaniard  who  was  captured  by  the 
pirates  and  brought  to  the  fort.  I  immediately 
gave  him  his  liberty,  and,  there  being  no  way  to 
send  him  to  Cuba,  he  made  his  home  with  me. 
Though  a  Catholic,  I  believed  him  the  ideal  of  a 
true,  noble  man.  It  seems  very  probable  that, 
when  his  countrymen  came  to  annihilate  us,  he 
went  over  to  them,  and  is  now  plotting  against  our 
lives." 

"Whom  do  you  mean,  monsieur?" 

"Francisco  Estevan." 


174  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Where  is  he?" 

"  Yes,  where?  He  disappeared  the  day  the  Span 
ish  fleet  appeared  off  our  coast,  and  only  yester 
day  the  two  Spaniards,  whose  liberty  I  bought,  also 
disappeared.  I  might  have  expected  it  of  them; 
but  that  Francisco  should  be  a  traitor  seems  hardly 
possible. " 

Laudonniere  could  say  no  more.  Challus  and 
Le  Moyne  persuaded  him  to  return  to  the  house 
as  the  dampness  might  bring  on  a  relapse. 

At  one  end  of  the  shed,  crouching  behind  some 
boxes,  was  a  slight,  girlish  form,  her  bright  blue 
eyes  dimmed  with  tears,  and  her  pale  face  strangely 
agitated — Hortense  De  Barre  had  heard  the  unjust 
suspicions  against  Estevan.  She  had  full  faith  in 
all  the  promises  the  young  Spaniard  had  made, 
and  it  grieved  her  heart  to  hear  him  maligned 
while  away  laying  and  executing  plans  for  her 
safety. 

Laudonniere  had  been  but  a  few  moments  in  his 
room,  when  Hortense,  wrapped  in  a  cloak  to  pro 
tect  her  from  the  falling  rain,  darted  across  the 
court  to  his  apartment.  The  commandant  was- 
alone,  and,  going  to  him,  she  said: 

"  Monsieur,  I  heard  your  remarks  while  under 
the  shed  but  a  few  moments  ago." 

"What  design  had  you,  mademoiselle?" 

"  It  was  quite  unintentional  on  my  part,  mon- 


A  REIGN  OF  TERROR.  175 

sieur;  but  what  I  heard  was  so  unjust  that  I  must 
beg  you  to  correct  it." 

"To  what  are  you  referring,  mademoiselle?" 

"You  called  Francisco  Estevan  a  traitor,"  she 
said,  her  eyes  filling  with  tears  and  her  breast  heav 
ing  with  sobs.  "  He  is  not  a  spy  against  us. " 

"  Whither  is  he  gone?  " 

"I  know  not." 

"Then  how  can  you  say  he  is  not  a  spy?'' 

"He  is  too  good,  too  noble  to  harm  those  he 
loves." 

"I  once  thought  so;  but  his  strange  absence  may 
cause  me  to  change  my  opinion." 

She  pleaded  with  Laudonniere  for  Francisco,  tell 
ing  him  her  assurance  of  his  fidelity  to  the  French 
people  and  that  he  would  surely  return  soon,  and 
explain  his  absence ;  but  the  grim  commandant  only 
shook  his  head  doubtfully  and  told  her  the  proofs 
were  against  him. 

It  was  already  grown  dark.  A  servant  entered 
the  room  and  lighted  the  tapers  which  gave  out  a 
dim,  ghastly  light,  showing  the  bare  walls  of  logs 
on  which  hung  the  sword,  buckler,  and  matchlock 
of  Laudonniere,  while  in  a  corner  stood  his  formid 
able  crossbow.  She  realized  that  it  was  no  use  to 
plead  longer  with  him,  and  left  to  return  to  the 
wretched  hut  set  apart  for  her,  when  she  was  sud 
denly  met  at  the  door  by  Gyrot. 


176  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Ah!  mademoiselle,  I  have  good  news." 

There  was  a  fiendish  light  in  his  eyes  and  a 
demoniacal  smile  on  his  face,  which  she  at  once 
interpreted  as  meaning  some  disaster  to  Francisco. 

"What  do  you  mean?"  she  asked. 

"I  have  such  excellent  news." 

Laudonniere,  who  had  heard  the  short  dialogue, 
came  to  the  door  and  asked: 

"What  have  you  to  report?" 

"We  have  seized  the  spy!" 

"Whom?"  asked  both  Hortense  and  Laudon- 
ni&re. 

"Francisco  Estevan." 

Hortense  tried  to  speak,  but  her  voice  failed 
her,  and  she  stood  mute  with  horror,  her  eyes  fixed 
on  the  villain. 

Gyrot  then  told  them  how  his  suspicions  had 
been  aroused  at  the  mysterious  conduct  of  Estevan, 
and  how,  by  watching  him,  he  saw  him  in  the 
wood  negotiating  with  some  men  from  the  ships 
to  betray  the  fort;  that  he  was  to  lead  them  to 
Carolinia  in  three  days ;  adding  that  he  followed  the 
Spaniard  to  the  fort  he  intended  to  betray  and  had 
him  arrested.  The  truth  of  the  matter  was,  that, 
as  Gyrot  was  returning  from  his  last  interview  with 
Melendez,  he  reached  the  fort  about  the  time  Este 
van  arrived  from  a  secret  conference  with  Saturiova. 
His  wicked  mind  conceived  a  cunning  plan  for  the 


A  REIGN  OF  TERROR.  177 

Spaniard's  destruction,  and  lie   ordered   two  sol 
diers  to  arrest  him. 

"It  is  false,  it  is  all  false,"  cried  Hortense, 
wringing  her  hands. 

"Bring  the  prisoner  to  me,"  said  Laudonniere, 
"and  I  will  make  him  confess  everything." 

Hortense  lingered  at  the  door,  pale  and  trembling, 
as  Estevan  was  brought  a  prisoner  into  the  pres 
ence  of  the  commandant.  Estevan  was  in  great 
peril ;  for,  in  those  times,  suspicion  of  treason  was 
usually  enough  to  secure  punishment  by  death. 

"Let  me  come  in!  Let  me  speak  with  him!" 
pleaded  Hortense  as  he  was  taken  to  Laudonniere's 
consultation  chamber;  but  she  was  excluded  and 
Laudonniere  and  the  prisoner  were  locked  in  the 
room.  Thus  two  terrible  hours  passed,  and  Hor 
tense,  who  remained  in  the  hall,  imagined  that  they 
were  torturing  him  to  death  in  that  awful  room. 

The  rain  poured  down  in  torrents  and  it  was  a 
wild,  dark  night.  Nearly  all  the  garrison  had 
gone  to  bed;  the  guard  stood  under  the  shed  to  be 
out  of  the  rain,  and  no  one  saw  John  Gyrot  as  he 
stole  away  from  the  commandant's  house  with  a 
lighted  torch  in  his  hand.  He  mounted  the  wall  of 
the  fort  and  waved  the  torch  three  times  in  the  air. 
At  this  moment  there  came  from  the  intense  dark 
ness  the  blast  of  a  bugle.  It  was  followed  by  the 
report  of  a  gun,  and  the  guard  cried: 
12 


178  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"We  are  attacked!  God  defend  us!" 

Laudonniere,  hearing  the  cry,  locked  his  prisonei 
in  his  room  and  rushed  to  the  defense.  He  buckled 
on  his  sword  and  seized  his  gun.  Le  Moyne  and 
Challus  joined  him  in  the  hall,  and  all  three  with 
drawn  swords  rushed  out  into  the  rain  and  darkness 
calling  the  garrison  to  arms. 

The  garrison  was  in  confusion.  Few  could  dis 
cover  from  whence  the  foe  was  coming.  Some  ran 
to  the  river-side,  others  to  the  east  or  north,  and 
a  few  were  at  the  point  where  the  attack  was  made. 
Another  bugle  blast  and  a  volley  of  bullets  and 
bolts  rained  into  the  fort.  One  gallant  guardsman 
fell,  pierced  by  three  arrows.  With  a  deafening 
shout,  the  Spaniards  came  pouring  over  the  works 
like  devils.  Never  did  Satan  inspire  fiends  to 
more  brutal  butchery.  Another  guard,  who  sprang 
with  halberd  to  drive  them  back,  was  knocked 
down  and  run  through  with  lances. 

Laudonniere  sounded  his  battle-cry,  and,  sum 
moning  all  the  men  he  could  about  him,  rushed 
against  the  avalanche  and  strove  to  drive  them  back ; 
but  might  as  well  a  house  of  straw  be  set  to  resist 
the  fury  of  a  cyclone.  His  men  were  knocked 
down  and  butchered  before  him,  while  he,  Le 
Moyne,  and  Challus  fought  like  madmen;  but  the 
avalanche  still  poured  on.  No  sooner  was  one 
beaten  down  and  wounded  than  a  second  took  his 


A   REIGN  OF  TERROR.  179 

place.  Over  the  works,  front  and  right,  the  horde  of 
steel-clad  demons  poured.  They  were  already  in 
possession  of  the  fort,  though  Laudonniere  and  a  few 
faithful  followers  made  a  feeble  resistance  at  the 
north  end.  Through  all  the  dire  conflict,  John 
Gyrot  stood  on  the  rampart  holding  aloft  the  blaz 
ing  torch,  while  the  smile  of  a  devil  played  on  his 
face  as  he  watched  the  butchery  of  his  countrymen. 
Having  gained  the  south  part  of  the  fort,  the 
Spaniards  fell  upon  the  women  and  children,  killing 
them  indiscriminately.  The  young,  the  old,  the 
sick  and  infirm  were  killed  in  their  houses,  in 
their  beds  and  on  their  knees.  No  prayer  for  mercy 
could  avail.  One  child  but  five  or  six  years  of  age 
fled  in  its  night-clothes,  and  tried  to  crawl  under 
the  house,  but  was  pulled  out  and  slain. 

The  melee  was  at  its  height  when  the  door  of  the 
room  in  which  Francisco  Estevan  was  confined  was 
suddenly  burst  from  its  hinges,  and  the  young 
Spaniard  leaped  into  the  hall  where  Hortense  stood, 
pale  and  speechless,  gazing  through  the  open  por 
tals  on  the  terrible  scene;  she  seemed  powerless  to 
move.  He  seized  her  in  his  arms,  and  in  a  voice 
hoarse  with  emotion,  gasped: 

"Hortense,  we  must  fly  for  our  lives!  " 
She  pointed  at  those  bloody  men ;  they  cut  down 
a  child,  they  pierced  a  woman  through  the  body; 
blood  was  flowing  like  a  crimson  river,   and  the 


180  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

hellish  scene  was  lighted  by  the  torch  of  John  Gy- 
rot,  who  looked  like  a  fiend  from  darkness. 

"My  God!"  she  groaned  and  sank  insensible  in 
the  young  Spaniard's  arms. 

Estevan  was  strong  as  a  giant,  and,  seizing  the  in 
sensible  maiden  with  his  left  arm,  he  laid  hold  of  the 
sword  which  had  fallen  from  the  hand  of  a  dead 
Frenchman  and  started  toward  the  western  gate, 
from  which  escape  seemed  most  probable.  He 
saw  John  Gyrot  on  the  rampart  holding  the  blazing 
torch  aloft,  and  his  quick  perception  said  he  was  to 
be  avoided.  He  was  hurrying  westward,  when  he 
came  upon  a  sight  which  he  never  forgot  to  his 
dying  day,  A  large  Frenchman  was  struggling 
with  three  Spaniards  who  had  seized  him  as  he 
rushed  half  dressed  from  his  house.  In  spite  of 
the  Frenchman's  struggles,  his  bites  and  his  cries, 
he  was  forced  to  his  knees.  Then  one  of  the 
Spaniards  who  had  a  mace  in  his  hand  raised  it, 
and  signed  to  his  companions  to  get  out  of  the 
way;  they  did  so,  and  the  Frenchman  strove  to 
rise;  but  the  mace  fell  with  dreadful  force  on  his 
left  temple.  A  dull,  heavy  sound  was  heard  and  the 
man  dropped  on  his  face.  One  of  the  soldiers  rolled 
him  over  on  his  back,  and,  with  a  single  stroke 
of  his  knife,  opened  his  throat;  then,  mounting 
on  his  stomach,  he  stamped  violently  on  it  with  his 
feet,  bringing  forth  a  jet  of  blood  from  the  wound. 


JOHN   GYROT   HELD   ALOFT   THE   BLAZING   TOUCH,    THE   SMILE   OF  A    DEVTL 
ON    HIS    PACE. 


A   REIGN  OF  TERROR.  181 

"God!  can  such  men  be  human?"  cried  Este- 
van,  hurrying  with  his  insensible  burden  toward 
the  gate. 

"Here  is  one  escaping!"  cried  a  soldier,  hurry 
ing  after  him.  Two  more  sprang  forward  to  inter 
cept  the  fugitive;  but  he  shouted  in  Spanish: 

"  Hinder  me  not.  I  am  a  Spaniard  and  a  good 
Catholic." 

"How  know  we  that?" 

"My  language  would  tell  you  that!" 

"Whom  have  you  there?" 

"A  Catholic  who  has  swooned,  and  I  am  carry 
ing  her  outside  the  fort  that  she  may  not  be  slain 
for  a  Huguenot." 

Estevan's  conscience  never  troubled  him  for  the 
falsehood.  He  gained  the  forest  with  his  charge 
in  some  way,  he  never  knew  exactly  how.  All 
was  a  wild  whirlpool  of  excitement  and  confusion. 

It  seemed  a  frightful  dream  from  which  he 
could  not  awake.  Into  the  forest,  through  the 
cold  rain  he  plunged,  staggering  forward.  It  was 
so  dark  that  eyes  were  of  no  avail.  He  stumbled 
over  stones,  he  ran  against  bushes  and  scratched 
himself,  tearing  his  flesh  as  well  as  his  clothing; 
yet  through  it  all  he  clung  to  the  insensible  Hor- 
tense  for  whose  sake  he  was  flying  he  knew  not 
whither. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

"NOT  AS  FRENCHMEN,  BUT  AS  LUTHERANS." 

ACCORDING  to  the  Spanish  chronicles,  one  hun 
dred  and  forty-two  Huguenots,  mostly  women  and 
children,  or  sick  and  infirm  men,  were  put  to 
death  that  night ;  while  the  Spaniards  did  not  lose 
a  single  man. 

Many  of  the  French  who  escaped  into  the  forest 
perished  for  lack  of  food  and  clothing,  or  were 
pursued  and  shot  by  the  Spaniards;  while  a  few 
were  captured  by  the  Indians  and  made  slaves. 

Among  those  to  escape  the  massacre  in  the  fort 
and  finally  return  to  Europe  were  Laudonniere, 
Challus,  and  Le  Moyne.  A  few  others  escaped, 
some  of  whom  joined  this  party,  and  among  them 
young  Peter  De  Bray.  The  darkness  of  the  night 
and  their  knowledge  of  the  country,  no  doubt, 
greatly  aided  them.  They  paused  on  a  bit  of 
rising  ground  above  the  fort  and  looked  down 
upon  the  place  of  the  fearful  massacre.  All  was 
dark  and  silent  now.  The  dead  lay  stark  and  stiff 

182 


u NOT  FRENCHMEN,   BUT  LUTHERANS."      183 

on  the  ground,  their  pale  faces  and  sightless  eyes 
upturned  to  the  beating  rain. 

"Whither  shall  we  go,  monsieur?"  asked  Le 
Moyne. 

"If  we  can  reach  the  river,  we  will  go  aboard 
the  ships,"  Laudonni&re  answered. 

"But  the  fort  is  between  us  and  the  ships." 

"We  must  go  around  it." 

"The  night  is  so  dark,  I  doubt  if  we  can." 

" Our  knowledge  of  the  country  will  help  us; 
for,  dark  as  the  night  is,  we  must  make  the  detour 
of  the  fort  and  reach  the  ships  by  dawn  of  day." 

"Our  people  are  widely  scattered." 

"  True;  yet  we  must  get  as  many  together  as  we 
can.  The  blood-hounds  will  be  in  the  forest  by 
dawn  of  day." 

Throughout  the  night  the  little  squad  of  French 
men,  whom  Laudonniere  collected  about  him,  wan 
dered  through  the  forest,  guided  only  by  instinct, 
for  there  was  not  a  ray  of  light  to  reveal  a  path  to 
them.  When  day  dawned,  they  found  themselves 
on  the  banks  of  the  river  below  the  fort. 

As  soon  as  he  was  master  of  the  fort,  Melendez 
published  an  order  that  all  the  women,  and  all  the 
male  children  under  fifteen  years  of  age,  should  be 
spared,  but  that  all  others  must  perish.  This  order 
was  not  issued  until  the  conflict  'had  raged  a  long 
time,  and  many  children,  some  of  a  very  tender 


184  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

age,  had  been  put  to  death.  When  his  proclama 
tion  was  made  known,  many  who  had  been  hiding 
came  forth  to  give  themselves  up.  Among  those 
to  appeal  for  mercy  were  some  men  who  had  mis 
understood  his  proclamation: 

"Save  these  Lutherans,"  said  Melendez,  when 
the  men  came  to  implore  his  mercy.  "  We  shall 
hang  them  as  an  example  to  the  world." 

Before  the  conflict  ended  John  Gyrot  began  to 
search  for  Hortense.  Fortunately,  he  had  not  wit 
nessed  the  escape  of  Francisco  Estevan  with  the 
insensible  Huguenot.  He  went  to  Melendez,  and, 
telling  him  of  the  girl's  disappearance,  said: 

"  Let  your  men  help  me  to  find  her  as  soon  as  it 
shall  be  light,  monsieur;  and  I  claim  her  when 
found." 

"  She  shall  be  given  you  for  your  faithful  ser 
vice  in  our  cause." 

"  I  have  not  been  able  to  find  the  proselyte  Fran 
cisco  since  the  attack." 

"Where  was  he  before  you  gave  the  signal?" 

"  In  consultation  with  the  commandant,  Laudon- 
niere.  He  had  but  just  returned  from  spying  on 
your  army." 

"  He  shall  hang  with  the  others!"  cried  Melendez. 

Morning  dawned  on  the  terrible  scene.  Mass 
was  performed,  prayers  offered,  and  psalms  of 
thanksgiving  sung  over  the  victory,  and  the 


" NOT  FRENCHMEN,   BUT  L UTHERANS. "       185 

foundation  of  a  church  laid  on  the  soil   still  red 
with  the  blood  of  the  innocent. 

Melendez,  with  a  strong  party,  went  down  to  the 
river  and  hailed  the  vessels  under  command  of 
young  Eibault.  On  being  answered,  the  Adelan- 
tado  summoned  the  crews  to  surrender. 

"I  already  have  your  fort  in  my  possession,  and 
if  you  will  peacefully  surrender  I  will  allow  you 
to  transport  yourselves  in  any  one  of  your  ships 
you  may  choose  to  France;  but  if  you  do  not 
surrender,  I  will  put  every  one  of  you  to  the 
sword." 

Young  Kibault  was  frightened;  but  his  officers 
advised  him  that  to  surrender  was  certain  death, 
and  he  answered: 

"  I  shall  put  to  sea  and  return  to  France  with  all 
my  vessels." 

Melendez  returned  to  the  fort  in  a  rage  and  com 
manded  his  men: 

"  Train  the  cannon  on  them,  and  sink  the  ships 
before  they  leave  the  river." 

The  artillery  in  the  fort  began  to  bombard  the 
ships,  and  they  retired  beyond  range  of  the  guns. 

When  the  ships  were  out  of  reach,  Melendez 
said: 

"  We  will  now  dispose  of  such  of  these  devils  as 
we  have;  bring  them  forth." 

A  large  tree  with  great  spreading  branches  stood 


186 


SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 


without  the  fort,  and  the  male  prisoners  were  all 
hanged  upon  this  tree,  to  which  was  affixed  the 
following  inscription: 

"  These  persons  are  not  treated  in  this  manner 
because  they  are  Frenchmen,  but  because  they  are 

heretics    and    enemies    of 
God." 

This  was  the  fate  of  all 
the   Frenchmen  taken  at 
the  fort,   those  who  sur 
rendered  voluntarily,  and 
those  who  were  given  up 
by  the  Indians  to  whom 
they   fled  for  s  h.  e  1 1  e  r . 
About  twenty  more  who  still  re 
mained  in  the  woods  were  pur 
sued  and  shot  like  so  many  beasts. 
Fort  Carolinia  now  lost  its  name, 
"  NOT  AS  FRENCH-    as   the  Spaniards    changed  it   to 
MEN,  BUT  AS  Lu-    gt.  Mattheo,  on  whose  day  it  was 

THERANS." 

reduced. 

At  daylight  Laudonniere  found  himself  at  the 
head  of  a  dozen  followers.  Some  who  had  been 
with  him  in  the  early  part  of  the  evening  had 
become  separated  and  wandered  into  other  parts  of 
the  wood,  among  them  young  Peter  De  Bray. 
They  were  below  the  fort  as  we  have  stated, 
and  even  below  the  vessels  before  the  cannon  drove 


" NOT  FRENCHMEN,   BUT  L UTHERANS. "       187 

them  further  down  the  stream.  The  ships  sailed 
past  them;  but  they  followed  after  them  until  they 
cast  anchor,  when  Laudonni&re  ventured  out  upon 
the  beach,  and  shouted  and  waved  his  hat  to  attract 
the  attention  of  his  countrymen  on  deck. 

Young  Ribault  saw  him,  and  a  boat  was  lowered, 
manned,  and  pulled  toward  them.  When  within 
fifty  yards  of  the  shore,  the  boat  came  to  a  halt, 
and  the  officer  in  it  hailed  them  and  demanded  to 
know  who  they  were. 

"  Laudonni&re,  and  a  dozen  of  his  people  escaped 
from  the  massacre  at  the  fort,"  the  French  com 
mandant  answered. 

"Bring  all  your  men  on  the  beach  that  we  may 
see  them  and  know  that  this  is  not  a  ruse  of  the 
Spaniards,"  said  the  officer. 

The  men  were  paraded  on  the  beach,  and  the 
boat  came  quickly  to  the  shore  and  conveyed  the 
wretched  survivors  to  the  ship  of  young  Ribault, 
who  listened  to  the  story  of  the  massacre  with 
many  a  shudder. 

"And  now,"  said  the  commandant  at  the  conclu 
sion,  "let  us  go  in  search  of  your  father." 

With  a  shake  of  his  head,  Ribault  answered: 

"No;  I  am  going  to  France." 

"What!  return  to  France  and  desert  your 
father?" 

"I  will  save  my  life." 


188  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"But  your  father's  fleet  may  be  safe,  and  with  it 
we  could  drive  them  out  of  the  country." 

"If  alive,  my  father  will  return  to  France." 

"  He  may  be  wrecked  on  some  island  or  on  the 
coast,  and  in  need  of  aid." 

But  no  argument  or  appeal  to  his  filial  duty 
could  alter  the  decision  of  young  Eibault;  he  was 
determined  to  return  to  France  at  once.  Laudon 
niere  was  so  provoked  at  his  cowardly  decision  that 
he  would  not  return  to  Europe  in  the  same  ship 
with  him.  They  sank  one  of  their  vessels  because 
they  had  not  men  enough  to  sail  her.  Laudonniere, 
Challus,  and  Le  Moyne  sailed  in  the  same  ship  to 
Europe.  To  the  two  latter,  the  world  is  indebted 
for  an  account  of  the  horrible  scenes  we  have 
related.  By  stress  of  weather  they  were  driven  to 
England,  where  Laudonniere  was  detained  a  long 
time  by  sickness.  When  at  last  he  went  to  his 
own  country,  notwithstanding  all  his  services,  he 
met  with  a  cold  reception  from  the  French  king, 
who  was  then  more  than  ever  embroiled  with 
Coligni  and  the  Huguenots. 

Melendez  appointed  Gonzalo  de  Villareal  to  be 
governor  of  St.  Mattheo  with  a  garrison  of  three 
hundred  men,  and  with  the  remainder  he  returned 
to  St.  Augustine;  for,  having  as  yet  no  knowledge 
of  Eibault' s  fate,  he  believed  him  still  at  sea  and 
thought  there  was  danger  of  his  falling  upon  St. 


"NOT  FRENCHMEN,  BUT  LUTHERANS."      189 

Augustine  during  his  absence.  He  was  received 
with  great  pomp  by  his  garrison,  and,  notwith 
standing  his  barbarities,  was  extolled  by  his  coun 
trymen  as  a  perfect  hero,  statesman  and  Christian 
gentleman.  Upon  his  first  arrival  in  Florida,  he 
had  taken  some  French  prisoners  whom  he  sent  on 
board  the  Pelagius  to  be  carried  to  Hispamola. 
On  the  voyage  the  prisoners  rose  one  night,  killed 
the  officers,  mastered  the  crew,  and  sailed  away  to 
Denmark,  where  they  disposed  of  the  vessel. 

At  this  part  of  our  melancholy  narrative,  it  is 
necessary  to  return  to  Bibault  and  his  miserable 
followers  whom  we  left  wrecked  on  the  Florida 
coast.  All  his  fleet  save  the  three  mentioned  in 
May  River  were  wrecked  on  the  coast  near  Cape 
Canaveral.  Their  condition  was  wretched;  they 
were  without  provisions  or  weapons;  their  scanty 
clothing  was  torn  and  soaked  with  ocean  brine, 
and  they  were  in  a  wild,  inhospitable  country. 

A  council  was  held  to  determine  what  should 
be  done. 

"We  must  return  to  Fort  Carolinia,"  Ribault 
declared. 

"It  is  a  long  distance,"  said  Cossel. 

"  Great  as  is  the  distance,  we  must  return  or 
perish." 

Little  did  they  dream  of  the  calamity  that  had 


190  •      SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

befallen  Fort  Carolmia.  With  only  the  sun  to 
guide  them  by  day  and  the  stars  by  night,  their 
food  wild  fruit,  berries,  and  turtles'  eggs,  they  set 
out  up  the  coast,  picking  up  other  shipwrecked  and 
wretched  comrades  as  they  advanced. 

One  day  they  discovered  an  empty  sloop  on  the 
coast.  It  had  belonged  to  the  Spaniards,  and  was 
blown  away  in  the  hurricane  and  beached.  Save 
that  some  of  the  yards  were  sprung  a  little,  it  was 
in  good  condition.  They  set  to  work  to  repair  it, 
and  soon  had  it  ready  for  sea.  At  high  tide  the 
sloop  was  launched,  manned,  and  given  in  charge 
of  Yasseur  with  orders  to  go  and  search  for  the 
river  May. 

Vasseur  sailed  on  his  voyage,  and  the  French 
men  left  behind,  although  weary  with  travel  and 
half  famished  for  food,  continued  their  journey  up 
the  coast.  Yasseur  returned  in  four  or  five  days, 
and,  putting  into  the  little  bay  where  Ribault  had 
halted  his  despondent  men,  went  ashore.  As  Ei- 
bault  went  to  meet  him  he  saw  nothing  reassuring 
in  his  features. 

"  Have  you  found  the  fort,  Yasseur?"  asked 
Ribault. 

"Yes,  monsieur." 

"What  did  you  see?" 

"The  Spanish  flag  flies  over  it." 

"Then  it  has  fallen!" 


" NOT  FRENCHMEN,  BUT  L UTHERANS. "      191 

"It  certainly  has." 

Ribault  felt  his  heart  sink  within  him. 

"  Better  had  we  all  perished  in  the  hurricane. 
Did  you  see  any  of  our  vessels?" 

"No,  monsieur." 

His  men  were  starving  and  clamored  to  be  taken 
to  Fort  Carolinia. 

"  We  know  not  what  treatment  we  will  receive  if 
we  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Spaniards,"  pleaded 
Ribault. 

"  Would  it  not  be  well  to  send  two  officers  to 
Melendez  and  ascertain  what  treatment  we  will 
receive  if  we  surrender?"  suggested  Trenchant. 

Ribault  adopted  the  plan,  and  sent  Cossel  and 
Trenchant  to  Fort  Carolinia ;  but  they  halted  at  St. 
Augustine  and  were  agreeably  surprised  to  meet 
John  Gyrot  there. 

"  What  has  become  of  the  people  at  Fort  Caro 
linia?"  Trenchant  asked. 

"  They  were  all  put  on  board  vessels  and  sent  to 
France  under  the  order  of  Melendez,"  Gyrot 
answered. 

"Why  did  you  not  go  with  them?" 

"The  Spanish  commandant  was  very  kind  to 
me,  and  out  of  compassion  for  my  countrymen 
who  were  wandering  about  in  the  forests  I  resolved 
to  remain,  search  for  them,  and  send  them  home," 
the  hypocrite  answered. 


192  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Gyrot  learned  from  his  countrymen  that  Ribault 
had  been  wrecked  on  the  coast  and  assured  them 
they  would  receive  good  treatment  at  the  hands  of 
Melendez.  He  went  to  the  Spanish  commandant 
and  told  him  what  he  had  learned,  and  those  two 
then  and  there  hatched  up  a  plan  which  would 
have  made  the  devil  himself  blush.  Melendez 
came  to  see  Trenchant  and  Cossel  and  told  them 
how  he  had  sent  Laudonni^re  and  his  garrison  to 
France  in  a  goodly  ship,  and  said  that  if  Eibault 
could  surrender,  he  would  give  him  and  his  fol 
lowers  the  same  terms. 

As  they  were  about  to  depart,  John  Gyrot  took 
Trenchant  aside,  and,  with  a  smile  on  his  sharp, 
pale  features,  said: 

"  Assure  our  people  they  need  not  fear  Melendez; 
he  is  very  kind  and  his  only  wish  is  to  remove 
them  from  the  country."  The  two  embassadors 
returned  and  reported;  but  the  Frenchmen  were 
still  divided  in  their  opinion.  No  one  had  much 
faith  in  John  Gyrot,  and  all  knew  how  meritorious 
the  Spaniards  held  it  to  not  keep  faith  with  heretics. 
Trenchant  was  sent  back  and  procured  a  written 
promise,  almost  as  sacred  as  an  oath,  that  if  the 
French  would  come  in  and  surrender  they  should 
not  be  harmed,  but  would  be  furnished  with  a 
vessel  and  all  needful  supplies  to  carry  them  to 
France.  They  had  the  wilderness  and  starvation 


"NOT  FRENCHMEN,  BUT  LUTHERANS."      193 

on  one  side,  and  the  solemn  obligation  of  Melen- 
dez  on  the  other;  there  could  be  no  doubt  which 
they  would  choose.  Some  of  the  starving  men 
declared  they  preferred  assassination  to  starvation 
in  the  forest. 

Chaloupes  were  sent  to  convey  them  across  the 
river.  Eibault  and  Ottigny  with  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men  went  first,  and,  as  soon  as  they 
landed,  were  seized  and  bound  with  cords. 

"Is  this  keeping  faith?"  the  indignant  Eibault 
cried.  "Where  is  Mel  endez?" 

"He  is  not  here,  senor,"  answered  his  guard. 

The  French  were  made  prisoners  as  fast  as  they 
landed.  Bibault  was  in  despair  until  he  saw 
Gyrot  among  the  Spaniards,  and,  calling  to  him, 
he  asked: 

"  What  is  the  meaning  of  this?  I  am  promised, 
on  the  oath  of  Melendez,  protection  and  safe  trans 
portation  to  France,  and  as  soon  as  I  reach  shore 
I  am  seized  and  bound." 

"It  will  all  be  right,  monsieur,"  assured  Gyrot. 

"Where  is  Melendez?" 

"He  will  be  here  soon." 

"Will  you  go  and  bring  him?" 

"I  will." 

Gyrot  hurried  away  and  took  care  not  to  return 
again  to  his  wretched  countrymen.   A  Spanish  sol 
dier,  approaching  Ribault,  gravely  asked : 
13 


194  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Do  you  expect  French  soldiers  under  you  to 
obey  orders,  senor?" 

"  Without  a  doubt,"  Kibault  answered. 

"Then,"  said  the  soldier,  "you  are  not  to  be 
surprised  if  I  obey  my  general's  orders,  like 
wise." 

So  saying,  he  plunged  his  long,  keen  dagger 
into  Eibault's  heart.  The  Frenchman  fell  with 
out  a  groan,  and  as  Ottigny  turned  his  eyes  on 
his  dead  commander,  he,  too,  was  stabbed  and  fell 
dead  across  Eibault's  body. 

The  Spanish  soldiers  now  fell  upon  the  French 
everywhere.  Some  were  gathered  together,  blind 
folded  and  shot.  None  were  spared,  save  a  few 
workmen  who  were  kept  to  work  on  the  fortifi 
cations  at  St.  Augustine.  About  two  hundred 
French,  who  had  escaped  and  fled  up  the  river 
May,  began  the  construction  of  a  fort.  Most  of 
these  were  Catholics,  and,  learning  of  that  fact, 
Melendez  promised  them  good  treatment  if  they 
would  return  and  surrender.  They  did  so  a  few 
weeks  later,  and  Melendez  kept  his  word  with 
them. 

The  number  of  Huguenots  slain  in  this  massacre 
has  been  variously  estimated.  It  was  sufficient 
to  put  a  blight  on  Melendez  throughout  all  time. 
John  Gyrot,  whose  diabolical  conduct  had  endeared 
him  to  Melendez,  asked  permission  to  go  to  the 


'IX)   YOU   EXPECT   FRENCH   fOLDIEKS    UNDEK  YOU    TO    OBEY    OltlJEItS 


"  NOT  FRENCHMEN,  BUT  LUTHERANS."      195 

woods  with  a  party  of  soldiers  to  search  for  Hor- 
tense  De  Barre,  whom  he  determined  should  not 
escape  him.  His  request  was  granted;  but  his 
search  was  futile,  as  we  shall  see. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE    FRIENDLY    CHIEF. 

FRANCISCO  ESTEVAN  shuddered  as  he  pressed  the 
senseless,  dripping  girl  to  his  breast.  Their  flight 
had  been  through  a  field  of  death,  and  perhaps 
some  flying  missile  had  pierced  her  body. 

"O  God!  is  she  dead?  is  she  dead?"  groaned 
Francisco.  It  was  too  dark  for  him  to  see,  and  he 
thought  the  water  dripping  from  her  wet  garments 
might  be  red  with  blood. 

"Hortense!  Hortense!"  he  groaned,  "speak 
just  one  word  to  tell  me  you  forgive  me  for  being 
a  Spaniard!" 

The  inanimate  mass  in  his  arms  seemed  to  move. 
He  uttered  a  low  cry  of  joy,  and  again  breathed 
her  name  in  accents  of  love.  Once  more  she 
evinced  unmistakable  signs  of  life.  He  sat  down 
under  a  great  oak,  whose  wide-spreading  branches 
partially  protected  them  from  the  dripping  rain, 
and,  holding  her  close  to  his  heart  to  instil  warmth 
in  her  cold  form,  he  whispered: 

"Hortense,  speak!" 

IM 


THE   FRIENDLY   CHIEF.  197 

A  slight  shudder,  and  then  a  faint  whisper  from 
those  lips  which  he  could  not  see. 

"Hortense!  Hortense!" 

"It  is  dark — so  dark,"  she  gasped.  "I  am  cold 
and  damp." 

"Have  no  fear,  Hortense,  I  will  take  care  of 
you.  Do  you  know  where  we  are?" 

"Monsieur  Estevan,"  she  murmured. 

"Don't  you  remember?" 

"Yes,  yes — the  fort — the  wild  night — the  mas 
sacre.  How  did  I  escape?" 

"I  brought  you  away." 

"And  where  are  we  now?" 

"In  the  forest;  I  am  taking  you  to  a  place  of 
safety." 

"Was  it  Melendez?" 

"Yes." 

"How  many  escaped?" 

"I  know  of  none  save  yourself.  Can  you  for 
give  such  devil's  work?" 

"As  I  hope  to  be  forgiven,  I  forgive." 

"Your  religion  is  better  than  mine." 

After  a  feeble  effort,  she  rose  to  her  feet. 

"  Are  you  strong  enough  to  stand?"  he  asked. 

"I  believe  so,  though  I  am  still  weak.  Tell 
me,  monsieur,  where  are  we  going?" 

"To  a  place  I  have  provided  for  you  in  the 
home  of  an  Indian  chief." 


198  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Is  it  far?" 

"  We  may  reach  his  village  to-morrow.  If  you 
are  not  strong  enough  to  walk,  I  will  carry 
you." 

"My  strength  is  returning  and  in  a  moment  1 
will  be  able  to  walk." 

The  wind  sighed  through  the  wet  branches  and 
swept  the  rainy  sky.  All  the  terrible  sounds  of 
a  stormy  night  in  a  tropical  forest  fell  on  the  ear  of 
the  startled  girl,  and  she  instinctively  clung  to  her 
protector.  Travel  through  the  swamps  and  forests 
of  Florida  was  at  that  day  attended  with  no  little 
danger,  even  in  daylight;  but  on  such  a  night  as 
this,  when  every  bayou  and  swamp  contained  a 
thousand  lurking  foes,  where  the  wild  beast,  driven 
from  his  lair  by  the  rising  water,  sought  a  victim 
on  which  to  vent  his  rage,  when  the  earth  beneath, 
the  heavens  above,  and  the  forest  about  them 
seemed  charged  with  deadly  fury,  it  was  enough  to 
intimidate  the  stoutest  heart. 

"You  must  be  as  brave  as  you  were  on  the 
night  you  rescued  me  from  the  wreck,"  whispered 
Estevan. 

"I  will  depend  on  you,"  she  answered. 

"God  give  me  strength  to  protect  you.  Are 
you  strong  enough  to  go  on?" 

"I  am.     How  far  are  we  from  the  fort?" 

"Not  far.     I  have  no  idea  of  the  distance  I 


THE   FRIENDLY   CHIEF.  199 

struggled  with  you,  but  it  could  not  have  been 
more  than  three-fourths  of  a  mile." 

"Is  it  over  there?" 

"It  is,"  he  answered  sadly.  "All  is  still  there 
now." 

She  shuddered  and  said  she  would  try  to  walk. 
Supporting  her  with  his  arm,  they  went  slowly 
through  the  dripping  wood,  Estevan  feeling  his 
way  with  the  naked  sword  he  had  brought  from  the 
fort.  They  had  not  gone  more  than  a  mile,  when 
he  suddenly  came  to  a  halt  and  whispered: 

"I  hear  voices." 

She  asked  in  what  direction. 

"On  our  left,  between  us  and  the  fort." 

"Perhaps  friends  are  coming." 

"No,  senorita,  it  cannot  be,"  he  answered. 
"They  were  all  slain;  but  have  no  fear;  I  will 
protect  you  as  long  as  I  live." 

"Could  they  find  us  in  the  darkness?"  she 
asked. 

"  The  Spaniards  sometimes  hunt  fugitives  with 
blood -hounds;  but,  even  if  Melendez  has  brought 
dogs  with  him,  the  rain,  which  is  so  discomforting 
to  us,  will  prove  a  blessing  in  obliterating  the  trail 
by  which  the  ferocious  beasts  would  have  followed 
us." 

They  stood  very  still  behind  some  trees,  while 
the  voices  drew  nearer.  It  was  too  dark  to  seej 


200  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

but  the  tramp  of  feet  and  low  voices  warned  them 
that  a  considerable  party  was  coming  toward  them. 
Francisco's  only  hope  was  that  the  party  would 
turn  aside  before  they  were  discovered.  The 
fugitives  dared  not  speak  a  word  even  in  a  whis 
per,  but  crouched  against  the  tree  scarcely  breath 
ing.  A  single  flash  of  lightning  would  reveal 
their  hiding-place;  but  Heaven  seemed  kind,  and 
held  the  sable  cloak  of  night  unriven  about  them. 

The  party,  evidently  a  dozen  in  number,  passed 
so  near  to  the  fugitives,  that  they  could  almost 
touch  them.  Singularly  enough,  not  a  word  was 
spoken  by  the  wanderers.  That  band  of  stragglers 
was  Laudonniere  and  his  followers  on  their  way  to 
the  ships,  and  a  single  word  would  have  told  the 
hiding,  breathless  fugitives  that  they  were  friends. 
Their  discovery  would  have  resulted  in  an  entire 
change  in  the  life  of  Hortense,  and  saved  her  long 
years  of  hopeless  misery;  but  fate  plays  strange 
pranks  sometimes,  and  this  party  of  friends,  whom 
they  supposed  to  be  enemies,  passed  on.  Estevan 
waited  until  they  were  out  of  hearing,  and,  assur 
ing  himself  that  no  others  were  near,  asked: 

"Can  you  walk  now?  The  way  is  once  more 
clear." 

"I  can  walk,  monsieur." 

They  resumed  their  journey,  carefully  picking 
their  way  over  the  muddy  ground,  through  swamps 


THE  FRIENDLY   CHIEF.  201 

and  over  fallen  trees.  Travel  was  necessarily  slow 
and  painful,  as  they  were  compelled  to  grope  their 
way.  Estevan  used  his  sword  as  a  blind  man 
does  his  cane.  Despite  his  caution,  he  once  missed 
his  footing  and  both  plunged  down  an  embankment 
into  a  deep  lake.  Never  losing  his  wonderful  pres 
ence  of  mind,  he  rescued  Hortense  and  himself 
from  drowning,  but  lost  his  sword  in  the  effort, 
and,  wholly  unarmed,  they  wandered  on.  He 
broke  a  stick  with  which  he  felt  his  way.  Though 
the  rain  still  fell,  the  fury  of  the  tempest  was 
past,  and  the  showers  were  only  the  spasmodic 
throes  of  a  dying  storm.  A  still  greater  blessing 
was  promised  in  the  birth  of  a  new  day.  Already 
the  eastern  horizon  was  growing  lighter,  and  before 
long  the  wretched  fugitives  could  see  to  travel 
through  the  wood  without  the  aid  of  a  cane. 
Brighter  and  brighter  grew  the  wood,  until  it  was 
once  more  light.  The  rain  ceased,  the  soft  gray 
rolled  away  from  the  sky,  and  the  sun  rose  in  its 
golden  splendor;  but  its  light  revealed  a  shadow 
of  woe.  Two  homeless  fugitives  were  wandering 
helplessly  through  the  labyrinthian  mazes  of  a 
tropical  forest,  without  a  ray  of  joy  or  hope  on 
their  faces.  The  rain-drops  glistened  like  pearls 
from  the  fragrant  orange-blossoms,  the  flowers 
lifted  their  heads  brightly  along  the  way,  the 
sweet  songs  of  the  oriole  and  mocking-bird  made 


202 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 


the  air  musical;  but  all  these 
awakened  no  feeling  of  happi 
ness  in  the  fair  Huguenot. 
She  saw  only  the  wild  struggle 
and  heard  only  the  groans  of 
her  dying  people.  Hortense 


"SHE  WENT  WHITHERSOEVER  FRANCISCO  LED." 

was  benumbed  with  horror.  She  could  not  weep, 
for  tears  were  denied  her,  and  with  her  head  meekly 
bowed,  looking  like  some  nymph  or  dryad  of  the 


THE   FRIENDLY   CHIEF.  203 

forest  lost  to  life,  she  went  whithersoever  Francisco 
led. 

"Are  you  tired?"  he  asked. 

"I  don't  know." 

"Are  you  hungry?" 

"I  have  no  thought  for  food." 

"I  can  pluck  some  wild  fruit." 

"No;  go  on,  "she  answered.  "  I  have  no  desire 
for  fruit."  Then  she  asked,  "How  far  are  we 
now  from  Fort  Carolinia?" 

"It  must  be  several  miles." 

"Do  you  see  any  of  the  Spaniards?" 

"No;  we  are  free  from  pursuit  for  the  present, 
and  before  nightfall  we  will  be  in  the  village  of 
Saturiova." 

She  seldom  spoke  after  this,  save  when  addressed. 

She  was  patient  and  uncomplaining,  enduring 
the  fatigue  with  scarce  a  murmur.  They  frequently 
paused  to  rest,  and  once  he  proposed  to  make  her 
a  bed  of  leaves  that  she  might  sleep  and  recuperate 
her  strength.  She  fixed  her  sad  blue  eyes  on  him 
and  said  she  could  not  sleep. 

The  sun  was  low  when  the  village  of  Saturiova 
was  reached.  The  chief  was  sitting  in  front  of 
his  lodge,  as  if  expecting  them.  Their  wretched 
condition  roused  no  visible  sympathy  in  the  breast 
of  the  stern  old  warrior,  nor  did  he  express  any 
emotion  at  their  terrible  story. 


204  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Hortense,  who  knew  nothing  of  the  aborigines, 
felt  her  heart  sink  in  despair.  This  indifferent  sav 
age  seemed  as  unconcerned  as  a  stone  and  would 
undoubtedly  refuse  them  protection.  Francisco 
kept  on,  despite  the  apparent  unconcern  of  the 
chief,  concluding  with : 

"  Saturiova,  I  have  brought  the  pale  lily  whom 
the  Spaniards  would  slay  to  make  her  home  with 
you  for  a  while,  until  the  storm  has  blown  away. 
Will  you  take  her  and  treat  her  as  your  own 
daughter?  She  is  young,  unaccustomed  to  rude 
scenes  such  as  she  has  witnessed,  and  to  you  she 
appeals  for  shelter  and  sympathy." 

This  speech  being  in  the  Indian  tongue,  Hor 
tense  of  course  did  not  comprehend  a  word  of  it. 
The  chief  was  moved  as  only  a  chief  can  be,  and, 
rising,  he  approached  the  trembling  girl,  and, 
taking  both  her  hands  in  his  own,  answered: 

"  I  will  take  the  white  lily  from  across  the  great 
water  to  my  lodge,  and  she  shall  be  my  daughter. 
She  shall  share  the  wigwam  with  my  other  daugh 
ter,  she  shall  have  the  best  of  care  and  Saturiova 
will  defend  her  with  his  life." 

When  Francisco  had  translated  his  words,  Hor 
tense  gazed  up  into  the  face  so  fixed  and  appar 
ently  immovable  a  few  moments  before,  but  now 
all  beaming  with  kindness,  and  tears  started  to  her 
eyes. 


THE   FRIENDLY  CHIEF.  205 

"Oh,  thank  you!  thank  you!  and  God  will 
surely  bless  you,"  she  cried. 

The  chief  then  called  his  daughter,  a  beautiful 
forest  maiden,  whose  costume  of  gay  feathers  and 
fine  fabrics  denoted  the  rank  of  a  princess,  and 
gave  Hortense  into  her  keeping.  The  Indian 
maiden  placed  her  arms  affectionately  about  the 
poor  fugitive  and,  with  a  smile  which  semed  born 
in  Heaven,  murmured  in  her  own  rich  tongue: 

"Sister." 

With  a  cry  of  joy  Hortense  De  Barre  fell  on  the 
neck  of  her  olive-cheeked  sister  and  wept.  The 
Indian  princess  conducted  her  to  her  own  lodge  and 
left  her  there,  while  she  brought  the  best  food  in 
the  village  and  fed  her  with  her  own  hands. 

When  Estevan  had  told  Saturiova  all  the  details 
of  the  massacre,  the  chief  asked: 

"  Why  do  white  people  kill  each  other?" 

"It  is  on  account  of  religion." 

"Does  your  God  command  you  to  do  this?" 

Estevan  was  silent.  He  knew  that  God  had 
said,  "Thou  shalt  not  kill." 

After  a  moment's  hesitation,  he  answered: 

"The  people  from  France  are  heretics." 

"Do  you  worship  the  same  God?" 

"Yes." 

"Then  why  do  you  kill  each  other?  We  who 
worship  different  Gods  never  fight  over  religion, 


206  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

but  for  slaves,  land,  bread,  or  power.  Your 
religion  is  not  so  good  as  ours  if  it  makes  people 
so  cruel." 

"  While  we  worship  the  same  God,  the  Hugue 
not  denies  the  infallibility  of  the  pope,  or  the  power 
of  the  priest  to  forgive  sins,  or  that  the  bread  and 
wine  of  the  sacrament  is  the  true  flesh  and  blood  of 
Christ,  and  they  refuse  to  believe  in  the  Virgin  as 
intercessor  with  Christ." 

The  old  chief  heard  him  to  the  end  and  asked: 

"It  was  for  that  your  people  killed  them?  You 
won't  even  let  them  worship  the  God  you  worship, 
unless  they  worship  Him  your  way?  Is  this  what 
you  boast  of  as  civilization?" 

Francisco  struggled  hard  to  maintain  his  posi 
tion;  but  the  chief,  with  his  practical  common 
sense,  propounded  many  puzzling  questions,  which 
gave  the  young  Romanist  food  for  thought.  It  was 
late  in  the  evening  before  the  Spaniard  thought  of 
retiring,  and  he  expressed  a  wish  to  know  that 
Hortense  was  well  cared  for  before  going  to  the 
lodge  set  apart  for  him. 

"Come  with  me, "said  the  chief,  and,  taking  up 
a  lighted  pine  knot,  he  led  the  way  to  his  daughter's 
lodge.  He  pulled  aside  the  opening,  and,  holding 
the  torch  so  as  to  throw  the  reflection  within,  said: 

"Look." 

Francisco  Estevan  glanced  within,  and  on  a  bed 


THE  FRIENDLY  CHILF.  207 

of  the  softest  dressed  skins  placed  on  dry,  clean 
rushes  covered  with  European  blankets,  lay  the 
white  and  red  sister,  clasped  in  each  other's  arms, 
sleeping  the  sweet  sleep  of  innocence.  Francisco's 
eyes  grew  moist  at  this  evidence  of  trust  and 
affection. 

"Have  you  any  fear  for  the  white  lily?"  asked 
Saturiova,  closing  the  opening  of  the  lodge. 

"No." 

He  then  bade  the  old  chief  adieu  and  went  to 
the  lodge  set  apart  for  him.  Francisco  slept  the 
sleep  of  exhaustion,  and  awoke  late  next  morning. 
The  old  chief  had  him  called  to  breakfast.  He  in 
quired  about  Hortense  and  learned  that  she  had 
slept  well  and  would  soon  be  out  of  the  lodge.  It 
was  a  calm,  sweet  morning.  It  seemed  as  if  no 
storm  had  ever  swept  over  the  sky  which  smiled  in 
peace  on  the  blooming  forest,  and  but  for  the  bitter 
recollections  of  two  nights  ago,  Estevan  might  have 
been  happy.  The  village  of  Saturiova  was  most 
romantically  and  delightfully  situated  on  a  slight 
elevation,  surrounded  by  orange  groves  whose  per 
fume  burdened  the  air. 

When  Hortense  came  from  the  lodge  she  was 
greatly  improved  by  her  night's  rest,  though  still 
pale,  with  the  look  of  horror  and  fear  not  gone 
from  her  face.  She  met  Francisco  joyfully,  and 
he  led  her  to  a  rustic  seat  under  the  trees. 


208  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Can  you  be  happy  here?"  he  asked. 

"I  will  try,"  she  answered. 

"  You  must  stay  here  for  the  present,  at  least, 
until  I  can  go  to  Melendez  and  secure  his  promise 
to  spare  you." 

"Do  you  dare  go  to  him?"  she  asked. 

"Why  not?  I  am  a  Spaniard  and  a  Catholic; 
I  am  consecrated  to  the  priesthood  and  he  dare 
not  bring  his  thunderbolt  of  vengeance  on  my 
head." 

She  shuddered,  but  remained  silent.  He  noticed 
the  sad  look  on  her  face  and  said: 

"Hortense — sister — do  you  hate  the  Spaniards?" 

"No;  I  hope  God  will  forgive  them." 

"Can  you?" 

"Yes." 

"You  are  an  angel,  and  may  the  blessed  Virgin 
guard  and  watch  over  you!"  cried  the  enraptured 
Estevan. 

"What  will  you  do?"  she  asked,  after  a  few 
moments  of  silence. 

"  I  am  going  to  return  at  once  to  the  fort  and 
seek  out  Melendez.  My  father  knew  him,  and 
I  shall  presume  on  their  acquaintance  to  ask  a 
favor  at  his  hands." 

"And  leave  me  here  alone?"  she  asked  sadly 
and  plaintively. 

"Are  you  afraid  to  be  left  alone?" 


'THE   FRIENDLY   CHIEF.  209 

"No;  but  you  are  the  only  one  on  whom  I  can 
depend  for  safety  now." 

"  I  will  not  desert  you,  sister.  As  you  saved  my 
life  I  will  save  yours;  as  you  remained  my  truest 
friend  in  my  hour  of  distress,  I  will  remain  faith 
ful  to  you,  and  though  I  go  away  it  is  for  your 
own  good.  Have  you  any  fears  to  remain  here?" 

"None.  My  red  sister's  father  has  promised 
me  his  protection,  and  I  have  heard  that  an  Indian 
chief  will  keep  his  word." 

With  gentle  words  and  wholesome  counsel  he 
soothed  her  fears,  until  her  mind  became  once 
more  tranquil,  and  he  left  her  leaning  on  her  red 
sister,  whom  she  had  already  learned  to  love. 
Her  resignation  and  forgiving  spirit  had  opened 
the  mind  and  heart  of  the  young  priest  to  a  new 
idea  of  Christianity.  When  he  contemplated  the 
heinous  work  of  his  own  people,  he  was  constrained 
to  ask: 

"Can  love  of  God  make  devils  of  men?  When 
I  reflect  on  that  scene  I  almost  despise  my  monastic 
vows." 

Going  to  Saturiova,  he  took  the  old  chief's  hand 
in  both  his  own,  and,  in  a  voice  which  trembled 
with  emotion,  said: 

"I  am  going  away,    Saturiova,   to  be  gone,    I 
know  not  how  long.     Guard   my  sister  with  your 
life;  she  is  very  precious  to  me." 
14 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

THE     WILY     GYEOT. 

THE  return  of  Estevan  to  Fort  Carolinia  was 
like  a  solemn  pilgrimage.  Early  one  morning  lie 
came  in  sight  of  the  fort  and  saw  his  country's 
flag  flying  over  it  and  observed  Spanish  soldiers 
moving  about  the  works;  but  the  sight  inspired  no 
feeling  of  joy  in  his  breast.  A  long  ridge  of  fresh 
earth  just  outside  the  wall  showed  where  the  dead 
slept,  while  hanging  from  the  branches  of  a  great 
tree,  beneath  whose  friendly  shade  he  had  so  often 
reposed,  were  frightful  objects  suspended  by  the 
necks,  with  faces  blackened  and  bodies  swollen, 
until,  as  they  swayed  in  the  air,  one  could  hardly 
realize  that  those  revolting  things  had  ever  been  hu 
man  beings.  The  air  about  them  was  impregnated 
with  a  foul  stench,  and  hordes  of  black  and  green 
flies  swarmed  around  them,  while  above  soared  the 
loathsome  vulture.  Unable  to  bear  the  sight,  Es 
tevan  covered  his  face  with  his  hands,  and,  utter 
ing  a  prayer  for  strength,  ran  past  the  tree  toward 
the  fort. 

210 


THE    WILY  GYROT.  211 

When  within  a  few  yards  of  the  gate,  he  was 
challenged  by  the  sentry,  who  demanded  to  know 
who  he  was  and  whence  he  came.  He  answered : 

"I  am  a  Spaniard.  I  came  from  the  forest,  and 
I  want  to  see  Melendez." 

"I  believe  you  to  be  a  heretic,"  answered  the 
guard,  "  and  if  you  should  prove  to  be  one  we  will 
hang  you  to  yonder  tree.  Behold,  we  daily  in 
crease  their  number." 

"I  am  what  I  say,  and  can  prove  my  assertion," 
he  answered. 

"Why  are  you  in  this  country?  you  came  not 
with  us." 

"  I  am  Francisco  Estevan,  a  native  of  Cuba,  and 
was  on  my  way  from  Spain,  where  I  had  been 
studying  for  the  monastery,  when  my  ship  was 
seized  by  some  French  pirates  who  brought  me  to 
this  colony." 

An  officer  of  the  guard  came  up  at  this  moment 
and  consulted  a  short  time  with  the  sentry,  and 
then  ordered  Francisco  to  approach. 

"You  say  you  are  a  Spaniard?"  asked  the 
officer. 

"lam." 

"Your  language  denotes  Spanish;  are  you  a 
good  Catholic?" 

"I  am." 

"Whom  do  you  wish  to  see?" 


212  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"The  commandant  Melendez." 

"Melendez  is  not  commandant;  he  has  appoint 
ed  Gonzalo  de  Villarael  governor  of  St.  Mattheo, 
while  he  returned  to  St.  Augustine." 

"Is  Mendoza  here?" 

"He  departed  with  Melendez." 

"  I  must  see  Melendez,  for  my  business  is  with 
him." 

He  was  sent  to  Gonzalo  de  Villarael,  who  regarded 
him  with  suspicion  and  asked  him  a  great  many 
questions.  Francisco  frankly  answered  all  of 
them;  but  took  care  to  say  nothing  of  the  hiding- 
place  of  Hortense. 

"You  say  you  come  from  the  forest:  have  you 
seen  any  Huguenots?" 

"No." 

"Some  are  hiding  in  the  woods." 

"I  have  met  with  none." 

"Are  you  friendly  to  the  French  Huguenots?" 

"They  are  the  enemies  of  the  Catholic  reli 
gion." 

"Have  you  not  espoused  theirs?" 

Francisco  was  thunderstruck  at  the  question, 
and,  bounding  to  his  feet,  asked: 

"  Do  you  mean  to  ask  if  I  have  become  a  Hugue 
not?" 

"I  do." 

"No." 


THE    WILY   GYROT.  213 

"It  was  reported  that  you  were  a  proselyte  to 
their  faith  before  our  arrival." 

"Senor,  you  have  heard  falsely." 

"At  any  rate  I  must  detain  you  a  prisoner, 
though  we  shall  not  hang  you  until  we  have  more 
proof." 

Francisco  could  hardly  believe  his  senses.  Star 
ing  at  the  Spanish  governor,  he  exclaimed: 

"A  prisoner!     I,  a  prisoner!" 

"Yes,  senor,  you  are  a  prisoner." 

"I  demand,  then,  to  be  taken  to  Melendez." 

"Your  request  shall  be  granted;  you  shall  be 
taken  to  Melendez,  but  not  now,  we  have  no  time. 
For  the  next  few  days  we  will  confine  you  at  St. 
Mattheo;  but  as  soon  as  a  guard  can  be  spared, 
you  will  be  removed  to  St.  Augustine." 

A  few  days !  Then  for  days,  he  knew  not  how 
many,  he  was  to  be  kept  away  from  Hortense,  who, 
in  her  strange  home  in  the  wilderness,  surrounded 
by  wild,  savage  people  to  whom  she  could  not 
speak  a  word,  would  day  by  day  watch  and  wait 
with  heart-breaking  anxiety  for  his  return.  Per 
haps  he  would  never  return.  Some  one  had  maligned 
him  to  the  Spanish  officers,  and  that  one,  his 
instincts  told  him,  was  John  Gyrot.  The  wily 
devil  had  planned  well,  and  Francisco  had  fallen 
into  the  trap  he  had  prepared.  He  was  unable  to 
drive  from  his  mind  the  recollection  of  those  hor- 


214  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

rible  things  he  had  seen  suspended  from  the  tree, 
and  knew  that  he  might  soon  add  another  to  the  list. 

In  the  darkest  dungeon  the  fort  could  afford 
Francisco  Estevan  was  confined.  He  could  take 
no  heed  of  the  flight  of  time,  for  night  and  day 
were  alike  to  him  in  his  dismal  cell.  Here  he 
pined  and  waited,  and  hoped  and  dreamed  of  Hor- 
tense,  exposed  to  all  the  nameless  horrors  of  the 
wilderness.  Ten  days  passed  before  he  was  brought 
forth  from  his  dungeon  to  meet  the  governor,  and 
then  all  the  satisfaction  he  could  get  was  that  he 
was  to  be  sent  to  St.  Augustine.  Pale  and  silent, 
yet  with  a  burning  fire  within  his  breast,  Estevan 
meekly  submitted.  What  had  he  ever  done  to  his 
countrymen  to  merit  such  treatment?  He  asked 
no  questions,  for  they  would  not  be  answered.  He 
was  placed  in  charge  of  a  guard  of  twenty  sol 
diers  and  sent  to  St.  Augustine.  The  rains  had 
ceased,  the  earth  was  dry,  and  the  forest  through 
which  they  journeyed  beautiful  as  only  a  Floridian 
forest  in  that  land  of  eternal  Spring  can  be.  The 
prisoner  was  in  no  mood  to  enjoy  his  beautiful 
surroundings  and  the  songs  of  tropical  birds. 

The  march  to  St.  Augustine  was  a  journey  in 
silence,  and  the  prisoner,  whose  hopes  grew  fainter 
every  day,  was  relieved  when  they  came  in  sight 
of  the  fort  at  the  close  of  the  third  day's  march. 
A  prison  had  been  built  at  St.  Augustine.  The 


THE    WILY   GYROT.  215 

first  thought  of  the  Europeans  in  settling  in  the  New 
World  was  the  construction  of  prisons.  Francisco 
was  conducted  at  once  to  the  dungeon,  as  it  was 
too  late  to  see  the  governor  that  day. 

He  consoled  himself  with  the  thought  that 
Balboa  and  Cortez  had  both  been  in  prison,  and 
both  had  escaped  to  become  rulers  of  men.  "Would 
fate  grant  the  same  fortune  to  him?  His  mind 
was  so  wholly  occupied  with  the  lonely  girl  in  the 
wigwam  of  the  savages  that  he  gave  little  thought 
to  himself. 

Next  morning  the  guard  came  and  escorted  the 
prisoner,  heavily  ironed,  from  his  dungeon  to  the 
governor's  hall.  On  the  way  he  was  somewhat 
amazed  to  meet  John  Gyrot.  The  malignant  grin 
on  his  face  denoted  a  fiendish  triumph. 

"  Monsieur  Estevan,  I  greet  you.  Good-morn 
ing!" 

With  a  look  of  supreme  contempt,  Estevan  an 
swered  : 

"It  is  you  I  have  to  thank  for  this." 

"Monsieur,  don't  be  too  hard  on  me." 

"  I  plainly  see  your  cunning  hand  and  fertile 
brain  in  all  the  misfortunes  which  have  befallen  me ; 
but  a  day  of  reckoning  will  come.  Of  that  be 
assured." 

"I  would  be  monsieur's  friend  if  he  would  let 
me,  I  would  be  his  great  friend." 


216  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"My  friend?  Have  you  influence  with  Me 
lendez?" 

"  Not  a  great  deal ;  just  a  little.  Nevertheless, 
such  as  I  have  shall  be  used  in  your  interest,  if 
you  will  aid  me." 

"You  demand  a  return?" 

"Not  much,  monsieur.  All  I  require  of  you  is 
to  inform  me  where  Mademoiselle  De  Barre  is  hid 
ing.  I  have  no  evil  intentions  toward  the  made 
moiselle;  but,  being  an  old  and  respected  friend 
of  the  family,  I  naturally  feel  a  great  interest  in 
her.  She  may  be  in  danger,  and  in  need  of  a 
friend.  Gyrot  is  her  devoted  friend." 

Turning  to  the  guard,  Estevan  asked  to  betaken 
at  once  to  Melendez.  Strangely  enough,  the  guard 
did  not  stir,  and  Gyrot,  who  seemed  to  exercise 
authority  over  them,  continued :  "  During  the  con 
flict,  monsieur  fled  from  the  fort  and  mademoiselle 
was  also  missing.  Then  where  were  they?  No 
doubt  they  went  together." 

He  was  bland,  smiling,  and  polite,  and,  withal, 
deceitful.  Estevan,  disdaining  to  hold  further  con 
versation  with  one  whom  he  had  detested  from  the 
hour  he  had  first  seen  his  ugly  face,  again  ap 
pealed  to  the  guard. 

"Will  you  take  me  to  Melendez?" 

"Don't  be  hasty,  monsieur,"  continued  Gyrot 
with  his  malignant  grin.  "  Stay  until  I  have  feasted 


THE    WILY   GYROT.  217 

my  eyes  on  that  dear  friend  whom  I  saved  from 
the  pirates.  Tell  me,  where  is  the  mademoiselle?" 

"I  will  not  talk  with  you.  My  business  is 
with  the  admiral,"  Francisco  answered. 

"So  you  will  not  answer  me.  Perhaps  you  pre 
fer  to  answer  the  admiral,  "and,  with  a  polite  wave 
.of  his  hand,  Gyrot  signalled  the  guard  to  move  on 
with  their  prisoner. 

He  was  conducted  to  Melendez,  who  was  evi 
dently  expecting  him.  The  wild-eyed  fanatic  who 
had  been  commissioned  to  deeds  of  blood  gazed  on 
the  prisoner  without  the  least  show  of  sympathy. 
After  a  moment's  silence,  he  said  in  his  terrible 


voice : 

a 


You  have  been  sent  to  me  on  serious  charges. " 
"Charges?     I  was  not  aware  I  was  accused  of 
anything." 

"  Why  did  you  suppose  you  were  sent  to  prison?" 
"I  supposed  it  a  mistake,  admiral." 
Melendez  then  read  the  indictment  to  the  pris 
oner,  charging  him  with  sedition,  heresy,   treason 
to  the  crown  of  Spain,  apostasy,  aiding  and  abetting 
and  giving  comfort  to  the  Huguenots  and  enemies 
of  the  Catholic  faith. 

"What  answer  do  you  make?"  asked  Melendez 
when  the  entire  list  had  been  read. 

"I  have  been  maligned  and  it  is  a  tissue  of  false 
hoods  from  beginning  to  end," 


218  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"Let  us  see  if  it  is  all  false.  Where  were  you 
on  the  night  of  the  attack  on  Fort  Carolinia?" 

"A  prisoner  in  the  fort." 

"On  what  charge?" 

"  Of  being  a  spy  and  aiding  and  abetting  my 
countrymen." 

"That  is  your  story.  There  was  no  record 
found  in  the  fort  of  the  charge." 

"  It  was  an  informal  arrest  and  no  charge  had 
been  reduced  to  writing." 

"What  became  of  you  during  the  flight?" 

"I  escaped." 

Glancing  toward  the  door,  Francisco  discovered 
the  face  of  Gyrot,  who  had  entered  with  his  usual 
noiseless  tread. 

"You  left  during  the  battle?"  continued  Me- 
lendez. 

"I  did." 

"Whither  did  you  go?" 

"To  the  forest." 

"Alone?" 

Estevan  started.  Melendez  had,  with  the  adroit 
ness  of  an  expert,  led  gradually  up  to  the  vital 
point  of  the  case,  and  now  his  eyes  were  on  the 
young  Spaniard  as  if  he  would  read  his  heart. 

"Answer;  did  you  go  away  alone?" 

"No." 

"Who  accompanied  you  in  your  flight?" 


THE    WILY  OYROT.  219 

"Hortense  De  Barre." 

"A  Huguenot  maiden?" 

"Yes." 

The  face  of  the  admiral  was  dark  and  sinister, 
and  his  eyes  flashed  with  fire,  as,  fixing  them  on 
the  prisoner,  he  said: 

"  My  orders  are  that  all  Huguenots,  male  and 
female,  shall  come  in  and  surrender,  and  that  every 
one  knowing  where  a  Huguenot  is  concealed  shall 
reveal  the  hiding-place." 

After  waiting  for  several  moments  for  the  pris 
oner  to  speak,  the  admiral  again  spoke : 

"  I  command  you  to  tell  me  the  whereabouts  of 
Hortense  De  Barre!"  He  was  still  silent.  "Will 
you  tell,  senor?" 

"No,  admiral,  I  will  not." 

"Then  I  swear  by  all  the  saints'  in  the  calendar 
you  shall  go  back  to  that  dungeon  at  St.  Matthep 
and  remain  there  until  your  hair  is  white  and  your 
frame  bent  with  age!"  cried  the  enraged  admiral. 

"Hold,  admiral!  before  you  pass  that  cruel  sen 
tence  let  me  explain." 

"Speak,  and  I  will  listen." 

"  I  want  to  go  back  to  the  time  when  I  was  a 
student  in  Spain,  preparing  for  the  monastery. 
With  some  monks  I  set  out  to  make  'a  pilgrimage 
to  Kome.  We  went  by  sea  and  our  vessel  was 
wrecked  on  the  coast  of  France,  and  I,  of  all  the 


220  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

crew  and  passengers,  was  rescued  from  death  by 
a  French  maiden.  I  was  taken  from  the  wreck  in 
an  insensible  condition  and  nursed  back  to  life  by 
this  good  angel,  but  for  whom  I  would  have  per 
ished.  When  I  recovered,  I  registered  a  vow  that 
should  she  ever  be  in  distress  I  would  befriend  her. 
Fortuitous  circumstances,  a  little  more  than  a 
fortnight  since,  gave  me  that  opportunity.  I  was 
in  Fort  Carolinia  as  I  have  stated.  My  preserver 
was  there  also,  and  the  Spaniards  were  storming 
the  place;  then  I  seized  her  and  carried  her  to  a 
place  of  safety  where  she  is  to-day,  admiral,  hid 
ing  from  John  Gyrot,  her  persecutor  from  her 
childhood,  whose  hands  are  red  with  the  blood  of 
his  countrymen,  and  who  will  not  hesitate  to  betray 
you  if  his  interests  demand  it.  He  it  is  who  asks 
the  return  of  Hortense  De  Barre.  Admiral,  swear 
to  me  on  the  crucifix,  on  your  honor  as  a  Spaniard 
to  Spaniard,  Catholic  to  Catholic,  that  Hortense  De 
Barre  shall  be  free  from  the  persecutions  of  John 
Gyrot  and  accorded  the  same  safety  as  other  Hugue 
not  women,  and  I  will  bring  her  to  you!" 

Melendez  fixed  his  eyes  on  Gyrot  as  if  asking 
him  for  a  reply  to  the  charges.  The  wily  French 
man  was  already  roused,  for  he  saw  danger  to  his 
pet  scheme,  and,  advancing  nearer  to  the  admiral, 
he  began: 

"  Monsieur  has  spoken  with  an  oily  tongue,  and 


THE    WILY  GYROT.  221 

his  eloquence  and  falsehoods  are  dangerous  to  the 
unthinking,  but  harmless  to  the  man  who  can  dis 
cern  the  truth.  Monsieur  Estevan  was  in  Fort 
Carolinia  when  news  reached  it  of  the  arrival  of 
the  Spanish  fleet.  If  he  was  the  good  Spaniard 
and  Catholic  which  he  claims  to  be,  why  did  he 
not  go  to  his  countrymen?  He  was  not  seized  by 
the  Huguenots  then  nor  imprisoned.  Why?  Be 
cause  he  was  a  proselyte  to  their  faith  and  they  had 
no  fear  of  his  betraying  them.  Had  he  wished, 
he  could  have  gone  to  his  people  and  told  them  of 
the  weak  places  in  the  enemy's  fort  and  where  to 
strike  the  enemies  of  the  holy  church.  Who  came 
to  you,  admiral,  who  gave  you  the  plans  of  the 
fort,  and  finally  led  you  to  successful  victory?  It 
was  not  Francisco  Estevan.  Who  remained  with 
you  during  the  fight  and  held  the  torch  to  light  you 
on  to  victory?  Verily,  not  the  monsieur,  but  I. 
The  admiral  will  remember  a  sacred  compact  he 
made  with  myself.  I  asked  that  he  spare  only 
one,  Hortense  De  Barre,  a  friend  of  my  childhood. 
I  have  kept  my  oath,  Fort  Carolinia  is  yours, 
admiral;  now  will  you  forget  your  solemn  obliga 
tion?" 

Gyrot  had  Melendez  in  his  power,  for  the  oath 
taken  on  the  crucifix  before  the  fall  of  Fort  Caro 
linia  would  be  kept.  He  assured  Gyrot  that  he 
remembered  his  obligation  and  had  no  disposition 


222  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

to  violate  it;  then  turning  to  the  prisoner,  he 
added : 

"  You  must  reveal  the  hiding-place  of  Hortense 
De  Barre." 

"I  cannot." 

"You  must." 

"I  will  not,  unless  the  admiral  will  swear  on  the 
crucifix  that  she  shall  be  protected  from  John 
Gyrot." 

"I  can  make  no  such  oath." 

"  Then  I  will  not  reveal  her  hiding-place.  I  am 
your  prisoner;  do  with  me  as  you  will,  hang  me, 
burn  me  at  the  stake,  or  put  me  to  the  rack,  but, 
by  the  mother  of  Jesus,  I  swear  I  will  not  reveal 
her  place  of  concealment." 

Both  Melendez  and  Gyrot  were  startled  by  the 
stubborn  refusal  of  Francisco.  The  smile  faded 
from  the  Frenchman's  white  face,  and  his  eyes 
gleamed  with  an  evil  light. 

"Monsieur  is  defiant,  admiral;  beware,  or  he 
may  displace  you  as  Vasco  Nunez  de  Balboa  did 
Bachelor  Encisco." 

For  a  few  moments  Melendez  contemplated  the 
prisoner  in  silence;  finally  he  asked: 

"Is  this  your  answer?" 

"It  is." 

"Will  nothing  change  you?" 

"Nothing." 


THE    WILY   GYROT.  223 

"Guards,  take  him  back  to  the  dungeon  and 
fasten  him  in  the  most  secure  cell." 

"Hold!"  cried  Estevan,  as  the  guards  advanced 
to  lead  him  away.  "  I  claim  the  benefit  of  clergy ; 
my  person  is  sacred." 

"Have  you  ever  been  ordained?"  asked  Me- 
lendez. 

"No." 

"Clergy  is  denied  you;  you  must  go  to  St. 
Mattheo,  where  the  prison  is  more  secure." 

"I  demand  to  see  Father  Mendoza."         • 

"He  is  not  here."  • 

"Do  you  deny  me  the  right  to  consult  a  priest?" 

"Mendoza  is  not  here." 

"Must  I  go  to  prison  without  seeing  him?" 

"  There  is  no  help  for  it.  You  refuse  to  obey  the 
command  of  the  king's  officers,  and  you  are 
charged  with  crimes  which  may  cost  you  your  life. 
Guards,  take  him  back  to  Fort  St.  Mattheo  and 
tell  the  governor  it  is  my  command  that  he  be  con 
fined  in  the  most  secure  cell  of  his  prison,  that  he 
see  no  one  and  converse  with  no  one  unless  by  my 
written  order.  Away!" 

Francisco  had  played  his  last  card,  and  his  heart 
sank  within  him.  Gyrot  approached  the  prisoner 
and,  with  a  triumphant  smile  on  his  face,  said: 

"Give  yourself  no  uneasiness  on  account  of  the 
mademoiselle.  I  will  care  for  her.  Sufficient  sol- 


224  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

diers  will  be  furnished  me  to  scour  every  forest 
glade  in  Florida  to  find  her." 

Francisco,  without  making  any  answer,  marched 
away  in  silence  to  St.  Mattheo,  which  was  reached 
in  due  time.  There  he  was  confined  in  the  most 
gloomy  cell  in  the  prison.  Once  alone,  his  man 
hood  deserted  him  and  he  broke  down  and  wept. 

Day  by  day  he  hoped  that  Father  Mendoza  would 
call  on  him;  but  as  weeks  and  months  glided  by 
and  he  came  not,  the  prisoner  reached  the  correct 
conclusion  that  the  priest  was  not  aware  of  his 
captivity. 

Francisco  exhausted  all  human  resources,  and 
then  turned  to  God.  All  his  pious  ideas,  which 
in  the  late  tumult  of  events  had  been  almost  for 
gotten,  returned.  He  remembered  all  the  prayers 
he  had  been  taught,  and  discovered  a  new  meaning 
in  every  word.  He  prayed,  and,  no  longer  terri 
fied  at  the  sound  of  his  voice,  prayed  aloud.  He 
laid  every  action  of  his  life  before  the  Almighty, 
proposed  tasks  to  accomplish,  and  concluded  every 
prayer  with : 

"  'Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  forgive  them 
that  trespass  against  us. ' ' 

But  despite  all  his  earnest  invocations,  Francisco 
remained  a  prisoner.  Then  a  gloomy  feeling  took 
possession  of  him.  His  mind  was  filled  with  his 
wrongs  and  the  wrongs  to  that  innocent  girl  who 


THE    WILY  OYROT.  225 

might  be  suffering  more  than  he.  His  mind,  con 
stantly  harassed  with  doubts  and  fears,  missed  the 
pleasure  which  solitude  has  brought  to  some  great 
souls  in  prison.  Day  and  night  his  mind  was  filled 
with  Hortense  in  the  wilderness.  He  was  young, 
just  in  the  morning  of  life  as  it  were;  but  his  mind 
had  been  well  stored  with  useful  knowledge, 
which,  had  not  the  wrongs  of  Hortense  crowded 
out  all  other  reflections,  might  have  furnished  him 
with  food  for  pleasant  thoughts.  His  energetic 
spirit  was  imprisoned  like  an  eagle  in  a  cage. 

Thus  the  months  rolled  by.  A  year  and  more 
had  passed,  and  he  had  seen  no  one  save  his  jailer 
who  brought  him  the  miserable  food  that  kept  soul 
and  body  together. 

Though  scarcely  able  to  note  the  flight  of  time,  he 
knew  that  more  than  a  year  had  passed  since  he  left 
the  little  trusting  girl  in  the  forest  with  the  assur 
ance  that  he  would  return  soon.  What  had  been 
her  fate?  He  would  have  given  his  miserable  life 
to  know  that  she  was  safe  and  happy. 
15 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  AVENGER. 

A  FAMOUS  modern  novelist  says,  "God  may 
seem,  sometimes,  to  forget  for  a  while,  whilst  jus 
tice  reposes;  but  there  always  comes  a  moment  when 
He  remembers."  God's  vengeance  is  as  sure  to 
fall  as  His  mercy  is  to  be  extended.  The  unrepen 
tant  rebel  may  be  spared  for  a  while,  to  give  him 
an  opportunity  to  reform;  yet  he  who  persists  in 
sin  and  folly  will  come  to  ruin  in  the  end.  What 
is  true  of  individuals  is  also  true  of  nations.  Spain, 
at  this  period,  one  of  the  greatest,  if  not  the  greatest 
power  on  earth,  was  extending  her  dominion  over 
the  richest  parts  of  the  New  World.  She  poured 
the  wealth  of  Mexico  and  Peru  into  her  coffers;  but 
the  treasure  made  her  people  rich  and  indolent,  at 
the  same  time  exciting  the  envy  of  the  world,  so 
that,  in  time,  she  paid  the  penalty  of  her  cruel  con 
quests  by  loss  of  possessions  and  diminution  of 
power,  until  she  has  become  one  of  the  feeblest 
nations  of  Europe.  In  justice  to  Spain,  we  are 
compelled  to  say  that,  cruel  as  she  was,  she  was 

little  behind  France  in  barbarity. 
226 


THE   AVENGER.  227 

In  the  Huguenot  extermination  in  Florida,  Me- 
lendez,  according  to  good  authority,  seems  to  have 
acted  in  concert  with  the  court  of  France,  which 
considered  the  Huguenots  of  Florida  as  the  very 
worst  of  rebels  and  traitors.  Though  they  had 
been  settled  under  the  charter  and  by  the  authority 
of  the  French  king  CHARLES  IX.,  he  acted  toward 
his  Protestant  subjects  in  France  much  the  same 
as  did  Melendez  to  those  in  Florida.  All  Europe 
was  amazed,  that,  in  whatever  light  the  king  might 
view  the  Floridian  Huguenots,  he  did  not  resent 
the  insult  done  to  his  own  dignity;  and  all  that 
has  been  said  in  vindication  of  his  tameness  is  that 
his  connections  at  that  time  did  not  admit  of  his 
coming  to  an  open  rupture  with  Spain. 

In  vain  patriotic  Frenchmen,  both  Catholic  and 
Protestants,  tried  to  rouse  the  king  to  action. 
Coligni,  the  great  Protestant  champion,  was  de 
serted  by  his  sovereign  and  the  king's  inhuman 
mother. 

Catharine  de  Medici,  with  a  strange  perversion 
of  a  mother's  natural  instincts,  after  she  became 
regent,  plunged  her  children,  in  the  flower  of  their 
youth,  into  a  whirl  of  sensual  pleasure,  that  soon 
weakened  their  minds  and  bodies  beyond  recovery, 
as  she  intended.  When  her  royal  son  reached  his 
majority,  he  seemed  incapable  of  resisting  any 
temptation  which  his  mother  placed  before  him,  and 


228  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

while  he  wore  the  crown,  she  ruled  France.  Fail 
ing  in  her  plot  to  bring  the  Duke  of  Guise  to  the 
scaffold,  she,  by  a  bit  of  diplomacy  more  cunning 
than  honest,  changed  her  tactics  and  joined  the 
league  against  the  Huguenots,  of  which  he  was 
leader.  Thus  we  see  Coligni  stripped  of  his 
power  and  unable  to  avenge  the  blood  of  his  slain 
colony.  We  should  state  here  that,  at  the  mas 
sacre  on  the  Eve  of  .St.  Bartholomew,  August, 
1572,  when  the  king  ordered  all  the  Huguenots  in 
France  to  be  put  to  death,  the  gallant  Coligni  was 
the  first  martyr.  A  band  of  murderers,  under  a 
German  assassin  named  Behme,  in  the  employ  of 
the  Duke  of  Guise,  entered  the  admiral's  room, 
plunged  a  boar-spear  to  his  heart,  and  flung  his  body 
out  of  the  window  into  the  court  below,  where  the 
Duke  of  Guise  was  awaiting  the  consummation  of 
the  crime. 

The  slaughtered  Huguenots  were  avenged,  how 
ever,  in  a  very  extraordinary  manner  by  a  Catholic 
gentleman,  the  Chevalier  De  Gourges,  a  soldier  of 
fortune  and  good  family.  He  had  distinguished 
himself  during  the  wars  against  Spain  in  Italy, 
where  he  was  once  captured  by  the  enemy  and 
chained  as  a  slave  to  a  galley.  This  galley  was 
subsequently  taken  by  the  Turks,  and,  shortly 
after,  again  captured  by  the  Maltese,  who  liberated 
De  Gourges.  He  subsequently  made  some  voyages 


THE   AVENGER.  229 

to  Africa,  Brazil,  and  other  places,  and,  upon  his 
return  to  France,  was  looked  upon  as  the  ablest 
navigator  in  Europe.  A  life  of  wild  adventure 
and  a  frame  seasoned  to  hardships  made  De 
Gourges  an  admirable  person  to  carry  out  any  des 
perate  plan  of  conquest  and  adventure.  Hearing 
of  the  massacre  of  his  countrymen  in  Florida,  he 
immediately  laid  a  plan  for  avenging  them  and 
driving  their  murderers  out  of  that  fine  country. 

In  order  to  carry  out  his  designs,  he  converted 
all  his  property  into  ready  money,  and  also  secured 
long  loans.  With  these  funds  he  built  three 
frigates,  on  board  of  which  he  put  one  hundred  and 
fifty  soldiers  and  volunteers,  most  of  them  gentle 
men,  besides  eighty  sailors.  His  ships  drew  but 
little  water,  and  were  so  constructed  that  in  a  calm 
they  might  be  worked  with  sweeps,  by  which  means 
they  could  enter  the  mouths  of  rivers. 

All  this  required  time,  and  it  was  not  until 
August,  1567,  that  his  armament  and  complement 
of  men  was  complete.  This  was  nearly  two  years 
after  the  massacre  in  Florida.  At  last  all  was  in 
readiness,  and  on  August  22,  1567,  he  weighed 
anchor  and  sailed  on  his  desperate  venture.  Hither 
to  his  purpose  had  been  kept  secret  from  all  the 
world,  and  he  had  obtained  from  M.  De  Moutluc, 
the  French  king's  lieutenant  in  Gascogny,  a  com 
mission  to  go  to  the  coast  of  Africa  on  a  slaving 


230  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

voyage.  After  pretending  to  trade  there  for  some 
time,  he  suddenly  bore  away  for  the  coast  of 
America.  He  first  fell  in  with  the  lesser  Antilles 
Islands,  beat  up  to  Porto  Rico  and  from  thence  to 
the  small  island  of  Mona,  where  he  took  in  food 
and  water.  A  storm  spoiled  the  greater  part  of  his 
bread  and  compelled  him  to  put  into  St.  Nicholas 
harbor,  on  the  east  side  of  Hispaniola,  for  a  fresh 
supply;  but  the  Spaniards  refused  to  furnish  him 
with  more  provisions.  Sailing  from  thence  he  met 
with  another  storm,  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty 
that  he  reached  Cape  St.  Anthony,  on  the  west 
coast  of  Cuba.  While  lying  there  he  mustered  his 
officers  and  most  of  his  crews,  and  addressed  them 
thus: 

"The  time  is  now  come  that  you  should 
know  the  real  object  of  this  expedition  as  it  was 
designed  from  the  first.  Nearly  two  years  have 
passed  since  our  countrymen  who  left  France  to 
make  homes  in  Florida  were  set  upon  in  the  night 
and  murdered  by  the  most  cruel  and  bloodthirsty 
creatures  ever  made  in  the  image  of  God.  First 
they  fell  upon  the  fort,  where  a  feeble  garrison  had 
been  left  to  protect  the  aged,  the  sick,  the  women 
and  children.  Like  fiends  they  slew  them  in  their 
beds,  on  their  knees,  or  wherever  found.  No 
pity  was  shown,  and  even  children  of  a  tender  age 
were  slain,  A  few  captives  were  reserved  and 


THE   AVENGER.  231 

subsequently  hanged  on  a  tree.  The  ships  of  John 
Eibault,  a  noble  Frenchman,  whom  I  knew,  and 
whom,  despite  our  differences  in  religion,  I  loved, 
were  wrecked  on  the  Florida  coast,  and  a  few  days 
later  he  and  his  men  fell  into  the  power  of  Me- 
lendez.  The  Spaniards  promised  to  spare  them — 
nay,  Melendez  swore  that  if  they  would  surrender 
they  should  all  be  sent  to  France.  Believing  the 
perfidious  lies  of  the  monster,  our  unfortunate  ship 
mates  surrendered.  They  were  immediately  bound 
with  cords  and  butchered  in  cold  blood.  These 
atrocities  appeal  to  the  heart  of  every  patriotic 
Frenchman  and  call  for  vengeance.  For  two  years 
the  blood  of  our  murdered  kinsmen  has  cried  out 
for  vengeance,  and,  by  the  help  of  God,  I  will 
avenge  them. 

"  There  is  more  that  appeals  to  my  soul.  Rumors 
have  come  that  some  of  our  people,  escaping  the 
general  massacre,  are  living  among  the  Indians  in 
the  forest.  I  was  once  rescued  from  drowning  by 
a  seaman  named  De  Barre,  of  Dieppe,  and  was  so 
grateful  for  his  gallant  preservation  of  my  own  life 
that  I  have  ever  since  wished  I  might  repay  him. 
He  perished  in  a  riot;  but  his  daughter,  who  went 
with  Ribault  to  the  New  World,  escaped  the  mas 
sacre  at  Fort  Carolinia,  and  there  is  a  rumor  that 
she  lives  in  the  forest  among  the  Indians.  We  go 
to  her  rescue  as  well  as  to  revenge." 


232  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

He  appealed  to  the  humanity  and  patriotism  of 
his  followers,  pointing  out  the  inhuman  cruelty  of 
the  Spaniards,  until  the  Frenchmen  were  roused  to 
a  pitch  of  enthusiasm  bordering  on  frenzy.  At 
the  end  of  his  speech,  he  cried: 

"How  many  of  you  demand  vengeance?"  A 
shout  went  up  from  the  deck,  in  which  every  voice 
joined.  "Vengeance!"  was  the  cry. 

Sailing  through  the  straits  of  Bahama,  he  came 
upon  the  coast  of  Florida,  where  the  Spaniards 
thought  themselves  so  secure  that  they  mistook  the 
French  ships  for  vessels  from  their  own  country, 
and  saluted  them  accordingly.  They  were  duly 
answered  by  De  Gourges,  who  next  night  entered 
the  river  Tacatacouran,  called  by  the  French  the 
Seine,  fifteen  miles  from  the  river  May  or  St.  John. 

"They  will  learn  before  long  whom  they  have 
saluted,"  the  fiery  Gascon  declared. 

No  wonder  the  Spaniards  did  not  suspect  that 
vengeance  was  at  hand.  The  king  of  France  had 
certainly  winked  at  the  extermination  of  the 
Huguenots,  even  if  he  had  not  sanctioned  it. 
Protestantism,  if  not  actually  on  the  wane  at 
this  period,  was  at  a  stand-still,  owing  to  the 
bitter  persecutions,  and  no  one  dreamed  of  a  single 
individual  on  his  own  account  fitting  out  an  expe 
dition  designed  to  deal  out  summary  justice  on  the 
Spaniards, 


THE    AVENGER  233 

By  this  time  the  Spaniards  had  rendered  them 
selves  odious  to  the  natives,  so  that,  mistaking  De 
Gourges  for  a  Spanish  squadron,  they  prepared  to 
oppose  his  landing.  Suspecting  their  mistake,  De 
Gourges  sent  his  trumpeter,  who  had  served  under 
Laudonni&re  and  understood  their  language,  ashore. 

The  tribe  which  met  them  was  that  of  Saturiova, 
with  whom  Francisco  had  left  Hortense  De  Barre. 
The  trumpeter,  recognizing  Saturiova  before  the 
boat  touched  the  shore,  called  to  him : 

"Have  no  fear,  my  red  brother,  we  are  not 
Spaniards." 

Eecognizing  them  as  French,  Saturiova  invited 
them  to  land  and  assured  them  of  his  hospitality. 
The  trumpeter,  who  was  master  of  their  language, 
answered: 

"  We  have  come  to  renew  our  alliance  with  you, 
and  will  be  friends  of  the  Indians." 

The  old  chief  drew  his  mantle  about  his  shoulders 
in  his  solemn,  impressive  manner  and  asked: 

"Where  is  the  chief  of  the  boats?" 

"He  will  come  ashore  in  the  morning." 

"Saturiova  will  talk  with  him." 

Returning  to  his  vessel  the  trumpeter  reported  his 
interview  with  the  chief. 

"I  will  go  and  see  this  savage  to-morrow,"  said 
De  Gourges,  "and  if  we  can  make  an  ally  of  him, 
he  will  prove  invaluable  to  us," 


234  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Accordingly,  next  morning,  with  great  pomp  and 
ceremony  to  impress  the  Indians,  De  Gourges  was 
rowed  ashore,  and  advanced  to  meet  the  chief, 
who,  surrounded  by  his  principal  warriors  and 
advisers,  stood  on  the  shore  to  greet  him. 

"  Saturiova  is  happy  to  greet  white  brothers  from 
France  once  more,"  said  the  chief,  "  especially  since 
the  cruel  men  from  Spain  came,  and  killed  many 
who  were  friends  of  the  red  men." 

Carefully  concealing  the  object  of  his  visit,  De 
Gourges  casually  asked: 

"  How  are  you  getting  along  with  the  Spaniards?" 

"Very  badly,"  the  chief  answered.  "They  treat 
us  cruelly  and  steal  all  they  can.  They  are  proud, 
and  demand  all  our  best  furs  and  gold,  and  if  we 
refuse  they  kill  us." 

"Are  they  really  so  bad?"  asked  De  Gourges, 
as  if  hardly  able  to  credit  the  story. 

"They  are  worse — I  hate  them,"  and  Saturiova 
struck  the  ground  with  his  spear.  "If  the  French 
will  fight  them,  I  will  aid  them  with  all  my 
warriors." 

De  Gourges,  not  wishing  to  appear  too  anxious, 
seemed  at  first  to  hesitate,  but  finally  answered: 

"  We  came  merely  to  pay  you  a  friendly  visit 
and  renew  the  former  league  our  people  had  with 
you.  In  fact  we  had  no  intention  of  war.  If  I 
found  the  Spaniards  imposing  on  you,  then  I  in- 


THE   AVENGER.  235 

tended  returning  to  France  for  a  greater  force  to 
exterminate  them ;  but  since  I  have  seen  you  and 
heard  all  you  have  said,  I  have  changed  my  mind, 
and  I  am  ready  to  aid  you  with  my  soldiers,  ships, 
and  guns." 

The  chief  was  so  delighted  that  he  embraced  De 
Gourges  in  an  ecstasy  of  joy.  The  French  com 
mandant  continued:  "Some  of  the  Huguenots  who 
fled  from  Fort  Carolinia  into  the  forest  are  said  to 
be  among  your  people.  Do  you  know  where  any 
of  them  are?  " 

"I  do." 

"Can  you  bring  them  to  me?  " 

"I  have  the  pale  lily  given  to  me  by  the  Span 
iard  who  never  came  back." 

"Why?" 

"They  say  his  countrymen  imprisoned  him." 

"  And  you  have  the  young  French  woman  alive 
and  well?" 

"Yes." 

"  Bring  all  the  French  people  you  can  find  to  me. " 

Saturiova  assented  and  hurried  away. 

De  Gourges  sent  a  small  scouting  party  into  the 
woods,  which,  on  their  return,  brought  back  a 
Spaniard  and  John  Gyrot,  whom  they  had  captured. 
These  two  had  gone  out  from  Fort  St.  Mattheo  to 
reconnoitre  the  strange  fleet  when  they  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  French. 


236  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

No  sooner  was  John  Gyrot  in  the  hands  of  his 
countrymen  than  his  political  and  religious  senti 
ments  underwent  a  complete  change.  He  guessed 
the  reason  for  the  visit  of  the  French  to  Florida, 
and  began  to  tremble  for  his  own  neck.  No  sooner 
was  he  taken  to  the  presence  of  De  Gourges  than 
he  declared  himself  a  Frenchman  escaping  from  the 
Spanish  fort. 

"I  can  hardly  credit  your  story,"  said  De 
Gourges. 

"I  was  made  a  cruel  slave  by  the  Spaniards, 
monsieur,"  Gyrot  declared.  "I  was  making  my 
escape  to  go  and  live  with  the  Indians  when  I  fell 
in  with  your  people. " 

"Why  is  this  Spaniard  with  you?  "  De  Gourges 
asked. 

Gyrot  was  momentarily  confused  before  he  could 
fix  up  a  story  to  get  out  of  this  unforeseen  difficulty ; 
but  he  was  not  long  at  a  loss  for  a  lie  that  would 
do,  and  then  he  said: 

"  Having  incurred  the  displeasure  of  an  officer, 
he  was  sentenced  to  be  shot,  so  he  escaped  with 
me'."  As  the  Spaniard  knew  no  French  he  could 
not  contradict  the  assertion. 

"  You  may  remain  in  camp,"  said  De  Gourges. 
"  We  expect  others  to-morrow  who  escaped  from 
the  massacre  at  Fort  Carolinia,  a  young  man  and  a 
young  woman." 


THE  AVENGER.  237 

Gyrot  started,  and  a  gleam  of  joy  flashed  over 
his  repulsive  features.  Who  could  the  young 
woman  be  but  Hortense  De  Barre?  No  other  Hu 
guenot  was  among  the  Indians.  Gyrot's  resolution 
was  immediately  formed.  He  began  to  relate  the 
wrongs  he  had  suffered  at  the  hands  of  his  Spanish 
masters,  and  most  particularly  did  he  describe  one, 
Franciso  Estevan,  as  a  demon,  whom  he  asked  the 
privilege  of  killing  with  his  own  hand.  With 
out  deciding,  De  Gourges  promised  to  give  his 
request  some  thought.  The  French  commandant 
was  not  altogether  satisfied  with  Gyrot's  stories, 
which  in  part  failed  to  harmonize  with  accepted 
facts. 

The  Spaniard  was  sent  on  board  a  ship  for  safe 
keeping,  and  while  John  Gyrot  was  given  the 
privilege  of  the  camp,  a  close  watch  was  kept  over 
him.  Night  passed  and  next  morning  Peter  De 
Bray  was  brought  in  by  some  of  the  Indians,  who 
announced  that  Saturiova  and  the  white  lily  were 
coming.  De  Bray  was  overjoyed  to  meet  with  his 
countrymen;  but  was  equally  annoyed  at  finding 
John  Gyrot  among  them.  Before  he  could  say  a 
word  to  De  Gourges,  warning  him  of  the  treacher 
ous  rascal,  the  wil^  scoundrel  seized  De  Bray's 
hand  and  began: 

"My  dear  friend  Peter,  you  know  not  how  it 
gladdens  my  heart  to  see  you  again,  and  realize 


238  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

that  we  are  now  among  our  own  countrymen. 
You,  too,  have  suffered,  my  dear  friend,  but  not 
so  much  as  I,  who  have  been  in  prison  and  sick 
and  threatened  with  death.  I  saw  my  dearest 
friends  hanged  before  my  very  eyes  and  was  power 
less  to  render  them  aid,"  and  here  he  tried  to  call 
up  a  hypocritical  tear,  even  going  through  the  act 
of  brushing  it  away.  "  It  was  very  sad,  monsieur, 
I  assure  you,"  he  added. 

"But — I  heard  you  had  not  fared  badly,"  began 
De  Bray. 

"My  dear  friend,  no  one  will  ever  know  how 
badly  I  did  fare.  I  was  reserved  from  death  for  a 
greater  torture  by  that  fiend  in  human  form,  Fran 
cisco  Estevan." 

"Is  he  not  a  prisoner?  " 

"Temporarily,  only  temporarily,"  interrupted 
John  Gyrot.  "  You  don't  understand  it,  monsieur. 
I  will  give  you  the  particulars  in  due  time,  reveal 
ing  all  the  cunning  and  devilish  plans  of  Estevan, 
and  to  your  ears  unfold  a  plot  that  would  do  credit 
to  the  most  cunning  fiend  of  perdition."  While 
he  still  spoke  in  his  hurried,  excited  manner,  Sa- 
turiova  approached  with  Hortense,  who  was  clad  in 
the  rich  costume  of  an  Indian  princess.  Their 
moccasined  feet  made  no  noise  and  they  joined  the 
group  without  Gyrot  being  aware  of  their  presence. 
He  continued  speaking  hurriedly  to  forestall  any- 


THE   AVENGER.  239 

thing  De  Bray  might  say  derogatory  to  his  own 
character. 

"  Monsieur  De  Gourges,  if  I  were  to  tell  you  one- 
half  of  the  cruelties  perpetrated  by  Francisco  Este- 
van,  your  blood  would  boil  and  your  flesh  would 
creep.  He  slew  six  of  the  Huguenots,  flaying  one 
alive,  and  my  own  back  must  bear  the  marks  of 
his  scourge,  monsieur;  but  we  will  hang  and  quar 
ter  him,  won't  we,  monsieur?" 

"No,"  cried  a  sharp,  silvery  voice  behind  his 
back,  sounding  like  the  trump  of  doom  in  the  ear 
of  the  guilty  wretch.  Wheeling  about,  he  espied 
Hortense  De  Barre,  her  eyes  flashing  with  indigna 
tion,  her  cheeks  aflame,  her  lips  parted,  and  her 
breast  heaving.  The  dove  had  become  an  eagle, 
the  lamb  a  tigress,  and  the  meek  girl  an  avenger. 
"  Monsieur  De  Gourges,  every  word  that  base  trai 
tor  utters  is  false.  He  betrayed  Fort  Carolinia  to 
the  Spaniards;  he  went  secretly  to  their  ships  and 
laid  the  plans  for  the  capture  of  the  garrison;  he 
gave  the  signal  for  the  attack,  and  held  the  torch 
to  light  the  Spaniards  while  they  murdered  his 
countrymen.  He  is  a  traitor,  a  libel  on  the  very 
name  of  manhood,  and  his  mission  here  is  full  of 
treason." 

For  a  moment  John  Gyrot  was  stunned.  He 
gazed  at  the  beautiful  girl,  who  in  two  worlds  and 
under  all  the  trying  vicissitudes  of  life  had  defied 


240  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

him.  He  forgot  his  own  peril,  forgot  everything 
save  that  after  two  years'  fruitless  search  he  was 
face  to  face  with  Hortense  De  Barre.  With  his 
dark,  greenish  eyes  ablaze,  and  those  sharp  white 
teeth  gnashing  like  the  incisors  of  an  enraged  hedge 
hog,  he  looked  at  her,  hissing: 

"I  have  found  you  at  last,  now  come  with  me!" 

But  there  was  one  who  had  watched  his  move 
ments,  and,  like  a  dark  meteor,  old  Saturiova 
leaped  between  Gyrot  and  the  girl,  a  long,  keen 
knife  in  his  hand. 

"No!"  he  cried  in  his  own  tongue.  "She  is 
my  daughter — touch  her  and  die!" 

Gyrot  fell  back,  and,  in  the  excitement  which 
ensued,  ran  from  the  camp,  and,  with  a  defiant 
shout,  leaped  into  the  wood. 

"He  is  gone  to  warn  the  Spaniards,  monsieur," 
cried  Hortense. 

Before  De  Gourges  could  speak,  Saturiova 
issued  an  order  to  four  of  his  young  men,  and  they 
plunged  into  the  woods  after  the  fugitive. 


"TOUCH     HEK    AX1>    I>IK 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE    PLAN    OF    ATTACK. 

THE  incidents  with  which  the  foregoing  chapter 
closed  transpired  so  rapidly  that  De  Gourges  was 
stunned  by  the  denouement,  as  dramatic  as  it  was 
unexpected,  and  could  hardly  comprehend  the 
dangerous  character  of  Gyrot  until  he  had  disap 
peared.  Then,  although  four  young  Indians  had 
been  sent  to  bring  back  the  fugitive,  De  Gourges 
still  felt  uneasy. 

"We  must  capture  or  kill  the  scoundrel,"  the 
commandant  declared.  "I  will  send  a  party  to 
arrest  him." 

"  Your  men  know  not  the  forest,  nor  are  they 
accustomed  to  making  long  runs,"  said  Saturiova. 
"  They  will  be  lost  and  perish  in  the  wood.  I  have 
sent  four  swift  young  men  to  kill  or  seize  him,  and 
I  will  send  fifty  more  to  guard  every  path  about 
the  forts  on  this  river,  and  also  at  St.  Augustine, 
so  that  he  can  never  reach  the  Spaniards." 

"Do  so  at  once." 

Old  Saturiova  selected  fifty  of  his  young  men, 
16  241 


242  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

sending  twelve  to  watch  each  of  the  forts  on  May 
River,  and  fourteen  to  guard  every  avenue  to  St. 
Augustine.  They  were  instructed  to  interfere 
with  no  one  save  the  evil  man  with  the  face  of 
death.  They  received  their  orders  and  all  silently 
disappeared  into  the  forest. 

Peter  De  Bray  assured  De  Gourges  that  nothing 
more  could  be  done  toward  the  capture  of  John 
Gyrot. 

After  the  flight  of  the  traitor,  Hortense  retired  to 
the  interior  of  the  camp,  and  sat  down  on  a  log, 
her  mind  harassed  with  fears  and  doubts.  If 
Gyrot  reached  St.  Mattheo,  Francisco  would  cer 
tainly  be  slain,  for  the  Spaniards,  incensed  at  the 
invasion  of  the  French,  would  not  spare  one  of  their 
own  countrymen  who  was  friendly  toward  them. 
De  Gourges  went  to  her,  and  asked: 

"Is  this  Mademoiselle  De  Barre?" 

"It  is,  monsieur." 

"I  knew  your  father;  he  once  saved  my  life, 
and  I  registered  a  vow  that  I  would  befriend  him 
and  his  under  any  and  all  circumstances  when  in 
trouble.  To  fulfil  that  vow  was  one  of  the  incen 
tives  which  brought  me  here." 

Hortense  bowed  her  pretty  head. 

"Now,  mademoiselle,  tell  me  about  yourself, 
your  coming  to  America  and  your  suffering  here. " 

As  briefly  as  she  could,  Hortense  related  her  sad 


THE  PLAN  OF  ATTACK.  243 

story,  especially  that  part  which  bore  upon  her  emi 
gration  to  America.  She  told  of  the  incident  at  Beau- 
carre,  her  rescue  of  the  Spanish  student,  the  jealousy 
of  Gyrot  and  his  persistent  persecutions.  Finally 
she  told  of  her  emigration  with  Ribault  in  the  last 
fleet  to  Florida  and  settling  at  Fort  Carolinia,  where, 
to  her  surprise,  she  met  both  Gyrot  and  Francisco 
Estevan.  She  told  in  detail  the  story  of  Gyrot's 
treachery  to  his  countrymen,  and  the  fidelity  of 
Estevan.  The  awful  carnage  on  that  terrible  night 
of  September  21,  1565,  was  lived  over  again,  and 
she  dwelt  particularly  on  the  heroism  of  the  young 
Spaniard,  who  had  saved  her  and  taken  her  to  Sa- 
turiova.  When  the  brave  girl  came  to  the  pic 
ture  of  Francisco  arrested  and  thrown  into  prison 
without  the  benefit  of  clergy,  all  for  herself,  she 
broke  down  and  wept. 

"  Now,  monsieur,  I  want  to  ask  one  favor  before 
this  attack  is  made,"  she  said. 

"What  is  it?     If  I  can,  I  will  grant  it." 

"I  have  learned  that  the  priest  Mendoza,  who 
is  a  friend  of  Franciso  Estevan,  is  unaware  of  his 
imprisonment.  Let  me  go  to  Mendoza,  plead  his 
cause,  and  secure  Francisco's  release  before  you 
make  the  attack." 

"Impossible,  child;  our  plans  would  all  be  dis 
covered  and  thwarted;  but  I  will  do  all  I  can  to 
save  the  prisoner." 


244  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"  He  will  be  slain  in  the  attack,  or  put  to  death 
by  his  own  people." 

"Let  us  hope  not.  Cheer  up,  mademoiselle, 
and  we  will  save  him  yet,"  said  De  Gourges  on 
leaving  her.  But  Hortense  was  far  from  being 
satisfied. 

Meanwhile,  Saturiova  was  not  idle.  On  that 
same  afternoon  he  summoned  all  the  paraousties, 
or  chiefs,  who  were  either  his  allies  or  vassals,  or 
over  whom  he  had  any  control,  and  held  a  council 
of  war  with  De  Gourges  and  his  officers.  From  the 
number  of  men  each  chief  agreed  to  furnish,  De 
Gourges  found  he  would  have  quite  a  considerable 
army. 

"  It  will  be  well  to  send  scouts  to  the  neighbor 
hood  of  Fort  Carol  inia  and  ascertain  its  exact 
strength,"  suggested  De  Gourges.  The  plan  was 
acquiesced  in  by  Saturiova  and  he  chose  his  nephew, 
Olacatora,  to  accompany  any  one  whom  the  white 
chief  might  choose.  Olacatora  was  an  ambitious 
young  brave,  and  felt  a  degree  of  pride  at  being 
selected  for  so  important  an  office. 

De  Gourges  chose  a  daring  young  Frenchman 
named  D'Estampes.  Before  they  departed  the 
French  commandant  took  D'Estampes  aside  and  im 
pressed  on  his  mind  the  danger  of  his  enterprise,  and 
urged  him  to  be  cautious,  vigilant,  and  brave.  He 
assured  him  that  the  success  of  the  enterprise  and  the 


THE   PLAN  OF  ATTACK.  245 

lives  of  the  soldiers  depended  on  him.  He  enjoined 
on  him  the  necessity  of  getting  a  correct  report 
of  the  number  of  men  and  guns  in  the  fort,  to  com 
mit  nothing  to  writing,  but  to  retain  everything  in 
his  mind.  The  scout  promised  to  follow  his  in 
structions  to  the  letter,  and  then  the  white  man 
and  Indian  set  out  on  their  reconnoitring  expedition. 

While  awaiting  the  return  of  the  scouts,  De 
Gourges  was  not  idle.  Having  abandoned  his 
original  plan  of  attacking  the  fort  by  sea,  he 
brought  his  arms  and  soldiers  on  shore.  The  sol 
diers  were  constantly  kept  busy  training,  and  fight 
ing  mimic  frays,  that  they  might  not  forget  how  to 
handle  the  arquebus,  sword,  and  halberd. 

Hortense,  refusing  to  go  on  shipboard,  was  as 
signed  to  the  best  tent  De  Gourges  had  in  his  camp, 
and  received  every  attention  possible  from  the  gen 
erous  commander,  though  he  absolutely  refused  to 
permit  her  to  make  the  mad  pilgrimage  to  St.  Au 
gustine. 

At  the  close  of  the  third  day  D'Estampes  and 
the  Indian  were  seen  returning,  and  word  was  at 
once  sent  to  De  Gourges,  who  was  on  board  of  his 
vessel.  He  came  ashore  and  the  chiefs  assembled 
about  the  scouts  to  hear  their  report  and  lay  plans 
for  the  future.  D'Estampes  said: 

"The  Spaniards  have  built  two  additional  forts 
below  Fort  Carolinia,  one  on  each  side  of  the  river. 


246  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

All  three  of  these  forts  are  in  good  condition  and 
cannon  are  mounted  on  their  works.  They  are 
garrisoned  by  four  hundred  men;  but  they  live  in 
such  perfect  security  that  they  can  be  very  easily 
surprised." 

"Has  Gyrot  gained  the  forts?"  asked  De 
Gourges. 

"  No,  monsieur,  we  met  one  of  the  Indians  sent 
to  capture  him,  and  were  informed  that  although 
he  had  not  been  captured,  he  has  been  driven  so 
far  up  into  the  country  and  every  avenue  of  escape 
is  so  carefully  guarded,  that  it  will  be  impossible  for 
him  to  reach  either  of  the  forts  or  St.  Augustine." 

"From  this  report,"  said  De  Gourges,  "it  will 
be  seen  that  our  only  chance  of  success  is  by  secrecy 
and  surprise." 

He  then  held  a  long  conference  with  Saturiova, 
and  they  agreed  upon  a  general  rendezvous  near  the 
Spanish  forts,  from  whence  they  could  march  to 
the  attack.  When  the  conference  was  over,  Hor- 
tense  again  appealed  to  the  French  commandant  to 
be  permitted  to  make  an  effort  for  the  release  of 
Francisco  Estevan  before  the  attack  was  made. 
De  Gourges  declared  that  the  thought  was  madness, 
and  assured  her  that  he  would  do  what  he  could 
to  save  the  young  Spaniard,  though  he  would  not 
consent  to  her  mad  desire,  as  it  might  jeopardize 
all  their  plans. 


THE   PLAN  OF  ATTACK.  247 

She  turned  away  in  despair  and  was  about  to 
retire  to  her  tent,  when  suddenly  she  met  a  tender 
gaze  from  a  pair  of  great,  dark  eyes.  It  was  the 
old  chief's  nephew,  the  brave  young  Olacatora. 

This  young  man  had  for  two  years  worshipped 
the  white  lily,  or  maiden  of  the  sun,  as  she  was 
sometimes  called,  at  a  distance.  She  was  a  being 
too  great  for  him  to  approach  in  the  light  of  a 
lover,  and  so  strong  was  his  affection  that  he  asked 
nothing  more  than  to  be  her  slave.  She  had  come 
to  regard  him  as  a  devoted  friend  to  whom  she 
could  intrust  her  life.  At  sight  of  the  young 
warrior,  a  wild  scheme  for  the  release  of  Francisco, 
despite  all  De  Gourges  had  said,  suddenly  entered 
her  mind.  She  called  Olacatora  to  her  side  and, 
speaking  hurriedly  in  the  Indian  tongue,  which 
she  had  mastered,  said: 

"  Olacatora,  you  have  been  my  brother,  will  you 
help  me  now?" 

"  Olacatora  will  do  the  bidding  of  the  maiden  of 
the  sun." 

"The  task  is  dangerous." 

"He  will  do  it  or  die." 

There  was  no  doubting  those  solemn  words  and 
earnest  eyes.  He  meant  all  he  said,  and  had  she 
commanded  him  to  leap  off  some  towering  summit 
to  certain  death  below  he  would  have  done  so. 

"There  is  confined   in  the  prison  of  Fort  St. 


248  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

Mattheo  one  who  saved  my  life  and  took  me  to  the 
good  chief  Saturiova,  who  was  sentenced  to  dungeon 
and  chains  because  he  would  not  betray  my  hiding- 
place.  John  Gyrot,  he  with  the  evil  face,  has 
escaped  and  may  reach  the  fort,  despite  the  vigi 
lance  of  the  runners  sent  to  stop  him.  There  is  in 
St.  Augustine  a  priest  who  has  power  of  life  and 
death  over  prisoners,  but  who  knows  nothing  of 
the  imprisonment  of  his  friend  at  St.  Mattheo. 
While  they  lay  their  plans  for  the  attack,  come 
with  me;  we  will  go  to  St.  Augustine,  see  Men- 
doza,  and  he  will  force  Melendez  to  order  the  re 
lease  of  Francisco  Estevan;  then  with  the  order  we 
will  hasten  to  St.  Mattheo  and  set  the  prisoner  free, 
before  the  arrival  of  the  French." 

Without  betraying  the  slightest  emotion  at  her 
request,  the  Indian  answered: 

"I  will  doit." 

"  It  will  soon  be  dark,  Olacatora,  and  in  an  hour 
we  will  Start.  Meet  me  under  the  blasted  pine  on 
the  hill." 

No  further  planning  was  necessary.  She  knew 
the  Indian  would  have  everything  needful  for  the 
journey  at  the  rendezvous  on  time. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark,  Hortense  stole  from  the 
tent  and  went  to  the  spot.  Standing  by  the  old 
blasted  pine,  his  arms  folded  across  his  breast,  as 
motionless  as  the  dead  tree,  was  the  young  warrior. 


•  THE  PLAN  OF  ATTACK.  249 

Not  a  word  was  spoken  when  she  joined  him, 
and  both  started  silently  on  their  journey  through 
the  forest. 

Two  years  among  the  red  men  had  so  inured 
Hortense  to  toil  and  hardship  that  the  journey 
through  the  wilderness  was  not  such  an  impossible 
affair  as  it  might  seem.  All  night  long  they  trav 
elled,  with  scarce  a  pause.  At  morning  he  built 
a  fire  and  dressed  a  hare  which  he  had  slain  and 
broiled  it  for  their  breakfast.  While  he  was  doing 
this,  she  slept  upon  the  robe  which  he  spread  on 
the  ground  for  her,  and  after  breakfast  they  re 
sumed  their  journey.  The  sky  became  overcast, 
the  thunder  rolled  in  the  distance,  and  soon  the 
rain  began  to  fall,  but  they  halted  not.  Francisco's 
life  was  at  stake,  and  Hortense  De  Barre  heeded 
not  the  toil  and  exposure.  Her  only  thought  was 
to  see  Mendoza  and  procure  the  pardon  and  release 
of  the  captive  ere  the  blow  was  struck;  for  she 
feared  it  would  be  too  late  when  the  French  reached 
St.  Mattheo.  On,  over  hill  and  dale,  swamp  and 
bayou,  through  drenching  rain  they  pressed. 
Sometimes  they  came  to  swollen  streams,  which  the 
Indian  was  forced  to  swim  with  the  girl  on  his 
back. 

A  dark,  stormy  day  was  drawing  to  a  close  when 
Mendoza  was  informed  that  two  Indians  wished  to 
see  him.  As  Mendoza  was  quite  enthusiastic  over 


250  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

the  conversion  of  the  red  people,  he  had  them  sent 
to  his  apartment,  and  was  a  little  surprised  to  meet 
an  Indian  warrior  and  a  young  and  pretty  white 
woman  in  the  costume  of  an  Indian  princess.  Be 
fore  he  could  recover  from  his  amazement,  the 
young  woman  said  in  Spanish: 

"We  have  come,  Father  Mendoza,  to.  inform 
you  that  a  young  Spaniard,  a  Catholic,  has  been 
for  two  years  confined  at  St.  Mattheo  without  the 
benefit  of  clergy,  on  the  information  of  John 
Gyrot,  an  apostate  Huguenot." 

"  There  must  be  some  mistake,  my  daughter.  I 
have  heard  nothing  of  it." 

"It  is  no  mistake,  father.  Go  ask  Melendez 
and  he  will  not  deny  it.  This  young  Spaniard 
was  studying  to  become  a  priest." 

"A  priest  confined  on  the  evidence  of  an  apos 
tate  Huguenot!  Melendez  must  be  mad!" 

"He  was  basely  deceived  by  Gyrot." 

"  What  is  the  priest's  name?" 

"Francisco  Estevan. " 

Mendoza  started  to  his  feet  and  exclaimed: 

"  I  knew  him  in  Spain,  and  he  was  a  most  de 
vout  Catholic.  I  supposed  him  in  a  monastery  or 
convent  in  Cuba." 

"  He  sailed  for  Cuba,  and  was  captured  by  some 
French  pirates,  one  of  whom  was  John  Gyrot,  who 
has  since  maligned  him  to  Melendez  and  procured 


THE   PLAN   OF  ATTACK,  .       251 

his  arrest  and  confinement  in  the  darkest  dungeon 
in  St.  Mattheo." 

Mendoza  was  stunned  at  this  intelligence.  Could 
it  be  possible  that  Melendez,  whose  spiritual  ad 
viser  he  had  been  and  whose  confession  he  had 
received,  had  kept  a  prisoner  for  two  years  in  a  dun 
geon  without  his  knowledge?  The  priest  soon 
formed  his  resolution. 

"  I  will  go  and  confront  Melendez  with  this,  and 
if  he  has  been  guilty  he  shall  sign  Estevan's  par 
don  and  issue  an  order  for  his  immediate  release." 

"Will  you  bring  the  order  to  me?"  asked  Hor- 
tense,  breathing  a  silent  prayer  for  strength.  The 
priest,  moved  by  her  earnestness,  answered: 

"I  will." 

Mendoza  could  be  fiery  and  eloquent  as  well  as 
terrible  when  roused.  At  thought  of  one  of  his 
religious  order  being  convicted  on  the  evidence  of 
an  apostate  heretic,  at  the  knowledge  of  one  of  the 
best.  Spanish  families  calumnied  by  Gyrot,  his 
blood  boiled  and  he  burst  in  on  Melendez  with  the 
fury  of  a  hurricane,  making  that  fanatic  tremble 
in  his  seat.  He  upbraided  him  for  lack  of  confi 
dence  in  the  Church,  and  accused  him  of  being 
blinded  by  Gyrot,  whose  tool  he  had  been.  In 
vain  Melendez  tried  to  explain  his  compact  with 
Gyrot,  by  which  the  successful  attack  on  Fort 
Carolinia  had  been  made,  and  told  him  of  the  oath 


252  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

he  had  made.  It  was  without  avail.  The  priest 
could  dissolve  all  compacts  and  grant  absolution 
from  all  oaths.  Nothing  but  a  pardon  and  order 
for  the  release  of  Francisco  would  answer.  Over 
whelmed  by  the  fury  of  the  priest,  Melendez  hast 
ened  to  grant  the  pardon  and  sign  the  order  for  his 
release.  The  priest  returned  with  the  latter,  which 
he  gave  to  Hortense,  whom  he  found  waiting,  and, 
without  halting  for  refreshments  or  rest,  she  set 
out  for  St.  Mattheo. 

"We  have  not  a  moment  to  lose,  Olacatora,"she 
said,  as  they  hurried  along.  "  My  footsteps  grow 
heavy,  and  I  fear  I  shall  faint.  Should  I  fall  by 
the  way,  you  must  not  wait  for  me,  but  take  the 
free-paper  and  run  to  Fort  St.  Mattheo  and  give 
it  to  the  governor  of  the  fort." 

The  Indian  assented  by  the  usual  grunt  charac 
teristic  of  his  race.  They  pressed  on  through  rain 
and  sunshine,  daylight  and  darkness,  over  hill  and 
dell,  through  swamps,  across  streams  and  places 
deemed  almost  impassable,  pausing  only  a  few  mo 
ments  at  a  time.  The  girl  made  no  complaint  and 
journeyed  on  in  silence.  She  who  had  been  so 
tenderly  reared  in  a  home  of  ease  and  luxury  was 
now  a  heroine,  enduring  what  might  overcome  a 
man.  Once  they  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  white-faced 
fugitive,  flying  through  the  wood,  pursued  by  three 
young  Indians,  who  were  driving  him  farther  away 


THE  PLAN  OF  ATTACK.  253 

into  the  forest.  He  saw  her  not,  but  Hortense  rec 
ognized  that  evil-eyed  man  and  thought,  "God's 
vengeance  is  falling  on  him  with  a  heavy  hand." 

On  to  Fort  St.  Mattheo  pressed  the  fair  Huguenot 
and  her  companion,  muddy,  wet,  and  hungry. 

"God  grant  I  may  be  in  time!"  she  prayed. 

They  had  travelled  all  night,  and  her  strength 
was  nearly  exhausted,  when,  at  early  dawn,  before 
her  blurred  vision  rose  the  ramparts  of  St.  Mattheo, 
with  the  spire  of  the  small  chapel,  reared  on  the 
blood-stained  soil  of  her  slaughtered  countrymen. 
She  was  faint  and  dizzy,  and  so  exhausted  that  she 
tottered  as  she  walked,  but  with  a  superhuman  ef 
fort  she  threw  off  her  increasing  weakness  and 
cried: 

"No,  no!  I  must  not  faint  now!  I  must  not 
faint  now!" 

At  the  appointed  hour  De  Gourges  with  his 
troops  was  at  the  place  of  rendezvous.  Here  he 
met  Saturipva  and  his  chiefs,  who  were  very  punct 
ual.  The  place  of  rendezvous  was  on  the  banks  of 
the  River  Somme,  called  by  the  savages  "Suraba." 
When  they  had  assembled,  De  Gourges  said  to  the 
chiefs : 

"1  want  to  exact  from  you  a  solemn  promise 
that,  as  you  have  led  us  into  this  quarrel,  you  will 
not  desert  us." 


254  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"My  white  brother  need  have  no  fears,"  an 
swered  Saturiova.  "I  am  here  with  my  warriors, 
my  friends  are  here  with  their  warriors ;  we  are  all 
ready  to  go  with  the  thunder-makers  and  extermi 
nate  the  Spaniards." 

"Are  you  willing  to  go  where  I  shall  direct  and 
do  what  I  shall  command? "  asked  De  Gourges. 
A  grunt  of  assent  was  the  response. 

It  being  quite  late,  the  army  encamped,  intend 
ing  to  begin  the  final  march  in  the  morning. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

RETRIBUTION. 

SOON  after  dark  a  heavy  rain  set  in  and  con 
tinued  all  night,  accompanied  by  a  high  wind, 
thunder,  and  lightning.  By  morning  the  streams 
were  swollen,  the  low  lands  inundated,  and  the 
expedition  was  in  serious  danger  of  an  utter  fail 
ure. 

De  Gourges  began  to  grow  discouraged  when  it 
was  reported  that  the  road  by  which  they  were  go 
ing  to  make  the  attack  was  impassable.  Was  there 
no  other  way  by  which  the  fort  could  be  reached? 
Perhaps  the  Indians  knew  of  some  other  route. 
De  Bray  found  a  young  brave  who  agreed  to  guide 
them  to  the  fort.  All  day  and  night  the  rain  con 
tinued  to  fall,  but  by  noon  the  next  day  it  cleared 
a  little.  De  Gourges  drew  his  men  up  once  more 
for  the  final  march,  and  said: 

"I  want  to  remind  every  Frenchman  that  the 
hour  to  strike  has  come.  Remember  that  for  two 
years  your  slaughtered  countrymen  have  slept  un 
avenged  in  nameless  graves.  Let  no  man  falter. 
Come  on." 

255 


256  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Led  by  the  guide,  the  army  began  their  march. 
Heavy  armor  was  generally  discarded  at  this  day, 
being  ineffective  against  bullets  and  interfering 
with  celerity  of  movement,  though  helmet  and 
breast-plate  were  still  worn  to  protect  the  head  and 
breast.  Night  came,  and  after  a  short  halt  to  rest 
the  march  was  continued.  The  sky  was  clear  and 
the  new  moon,  like  a  horn  of  silver,  hung  in  the 
sky,  while  one  by  one  the  stars  opened  their  bright 
little  eyes  to  watch  the  silent  army.  During  the 
remainder  of  the  night  only  short  halts  were  made, 
when  the  guide,  momentarily  at  fault,  sought  a 
new  course.  All  night  he  led  them  by  a  safe  but 
roundabout  route,  and  just  before  dawn  of  day 
announced  that  on  crossing  a  stream  before  them 
they  would  be  in  full  view  of  one  of  the  forts. 

"Is  the  stream  deep?  "  De  Gourges  asked. 

The  Indian  signified  the  depth  by  pointing  to 
"his  breast. 

"Then  we  will  wade  it." 

De  Gourges  ordered  his  men  to  fasten  their 
powder-flasks  on  their  helmets  and  to  carry  their 
swords  and  guns  in  their  hands.  Day  had  already 
begun  to  dawn,  and  the  shadows  in  the  forest  grew 
momentarily  lighter,  revealing  the  pale,  stern  faces 
of  the  soldiers  and  officers.  The  Indian  guide  first 
plunged  into  the  stream,  De  Gourges  following. 
Then  the  whole  army  entered  the  water,  which,  in 


RETRIBUTION.  257 

places,  came  quite  up  to  their  armpits.  De  Gourges, 
gaining  the  opposite  bank,  turned  about  and  cau 
tioned  his  men  against  making  any  noise. 

All  were  safely  over  at  last,  and  the  soldiers 
were  allowed  to  stand  a  few  moments  while  the 
water  ran  from  their  soaked  garments.  From  this 
point  De  Gourges  determined  to  reconnoitre  the 
fort  in  person,  and,  with  D'Estampes,  De  Bray, 
and  Saturiova,  he  set  out  through  the  brushwood 
and  tall  grass.  They  moved  with  the  utmost  cau 
tion,  and  shortly  after  sunrise  were  rewarded  by 
.gaining  a  point  from  whence  they  had  a  view  of  the 
doomed  fort.  De  Gourges  was  a  little  startled  by 
seeing  the  people  inside  the  fort  in  motion  as  if 
excited  over  something,  and  feared  that  John  Gyrot 
had  eluded  his  Indian  pursuers,  reached  the  fort, 
and  spread  the  alarm. 

It  afterward  appeared  that  the  cause  of  the  com 
motion  was  the  rumor  that  two  Indians  had  at 
dawn  reached  St.  Mattheo  with  an  order  for  the 
release  of  a  prisoner.  This  caused  the  people  to 
gather  in  groups  and  discuss  who  the  prisoner  could 
be.  A  great  many  of  the  men  were  also  busy  re 
pairing  a  fountain.  De  Gourges  waited  until  the 
flurry  seemed  to  partially  subside,  and  went  back 
to  his  men.  The  Indians  had  kept  their  secret  well , 
and  John  Gyrot,  though  not  captured,  had  not 
been  permitted  to  reach  any  of  the  Spanish  settle- 
17 


258  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

ments,  so  to  this  very  moment  the  Spaniards  were 
wholly  unaware  of  the  presence  of  the  French  irr 
Florida. 

De  Gourges  divided  his  little  army  into  two 
parties,  taking  command  of  the  first  division  him 
self  and  giving  the  second  to  his  brave  lieutenant, 
Cassenove,  whom  he  sent  to  attack  from  the  right 
flank,  while  he  advanced  in  front,  leaving  the  Ind 
ians  to  fight  in  their  own  way. 

It  was  a  lovely  morning;  the  storm  seemed  over 
instead  of  about  to  begin.  Never  is  Florida  more 
like  an  earthly  paradise  than  in  the  month  of  May, 
when  rare  exotics  seem  to  burden  the  air  with  their 
perfume  and  the  carols  of  tropical  songsters  fill 
the  woods  with  melody.  No  wonder  Ponce  de 
Leon  thought  he  had  found  the  land  where  men 
never  die,  for  among  the  green  savannahs,  orange- 
groves,  and  palms  of  Florida  nature  is  always 
young. 

The  Spaniards  in  the  fort  on  this  sunny  morning 
little  dreamed  that  just  beyond  the  gentle  swell  of 
ground  on  the  north,  hidden  by  tall  grass  and 
shrubs  and  the  blooming  roses,  whose  sullen  fires 
seemed  half  quenched  in  the  dew,  ranks  of  armed 
men  were  advancing  upon  the  fort.  All  along  the 
line  of  Frenchmen  there  rose  little  clouds  of  pale 
blue  smoke  from  the  lighted  match-cords. 

"Forward!" 


RETRIBUTION.  259 

Low  and  stern  was  the  voice. 

De  Gourges  himself  took  the  lead  and  guided 
them  over  the  hill.  When  the  fort  was  in  sight 
of  the  attacking  party,  at  a  word  from  their  leader 
they  trailed  their  arms  and  dashed  at  it. 

Three  persons  were  seen  coming  from  the  direc 
tion  of  Fort  St.  Mattheo.  One  was  an  Indian,  one 
a  young  man  whose  white  face  and  mouldy  cloth 
ing  told  a  sad  story  of  long  confinement,  and  the 
third  a  white  girl  in  the  faded  and  worn  garb  of 
an  Indian  princess. 

No  one  was  visible  at  the  fort  save  an  engineer 
who,  had  mounted  the  platform  and  stood  near  a 
pair  of  culverins,  watching  the  party  coming  from 
St.  Mattheo,  and  wondering  what  strange  power 
the  Indian  maiden  had  brought  to  bear  on  Melen- 
dez  to  procure  the  liberation  of  the  prisoner  at  St. 
Mattheo.  Then  he  turned  his  gaze  northward  and 
was  amazed  to  see  that  long  line  of  men  coming 
out  of  the  woods  with  guns  and  matchlocks  in  their 
hands,  and  stooping  as  they  ran.  With  a  cry  of 
surprise,  he  fired  the  culverins  and  shouted : 

"The  French!  the  French!     To  arms!  to  arms!" 

For  the  first  time  that  long  line  of  advancing 
Frenchmen  broke  the  silence  with  a  howl  of  rage; 
then  the  tall  savage  who  walked  behind  Hortense 
and  the  rescued  Spaniard  ran  with  the  fleetness  of 
a  deer  to  the  fort,  leaped  upon  the  platform,  and, 


260  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

seizing  a  lance  which  lay  near  the  culverins,  drove 
it  through  the  engineer's  body,  laying  him  dead  at 
his  feet. 

"Retribution!  "  shouted  De  Gourges  in  trumpet 
tones,  leaping  on  the  ramparts  and  waving  his 
sword  in  the  air. 

"The  French!  The  Huguenots!"  groaned  the 
panic-stricken  Spaniards.  The  army  came  down  and 
poured  a  galling  fire  into  the  Spaniards,  mowing 
them  down  under  the  withering  hail  of  death,  and 
then  with  drawn  swords  they  leaped  on  those  whom 
their  bullets  had  spared,  cutting  them  down  right 
and  left.  No  prayer  for  mercy  could  avail. 
When  a  Spaniard  begged  his  life  on  his  knees,  he 
was  answered: 

"You  spared  not  Ribault  and  his  people,"  and 
was  run  through. 

It  was  not  the  retribution  of  God,  but  of  man, 
that  fell  on  those  Spaniards,  some  of  whom  were 
innocent,  having  come  from  Spain  since  the  terrible 
event  at  Fort  Carolinia.  They  made  little  resist 
ance,  but  fled  pell-mell  over  the  works,  running 
toward  the  woods  right  into  the  ranks  of  the  second 
division  under  Cassenove.  Being  put  between  two 
fires  the  entire  garrison  of  sixty  were  cut  down, 
save  a  few  who  were  reserved  for  hanging,  accord 
ing  to  the  plan  of  De  Gourges. 

So  absorbed  were  Hortense  and  Estevan  over  the 


"RETRIBUTION  !  "    SHOUTED   1>E    GOURGES    IN   TRUMPET   TONES. 


RETRIBUTION.  261 

latter's  recent  escape  from  prison,  that  they  saw 
not  the  advancing  army  of  De  Gourges  until  the 
sharp  crack  of  the  engineer's  culverins  roused  them 
to  a  sense  of  their  danger,  and,  looking  up,  they 
saw  the  armed  hosts  of  De  Gourges  advancing. 

"Come,  Francisco,  we  must  fly!"  she  cried, 
seizing  his  hand. 

Fatigue  was  forgotten  and  all  her  energy  re 
turned.  The  French  were  on  the  fort,  and  with  no 
other  thought  than  preserving  the  life  of  him  whom 
she  had  rescued,  she  held  his  hand  tightly  clasped 
in  her  own,  and  ran  to  meet  the  advancing 
army. 

Half  a  score  of  swords  were  shortened,  and  De 
Gourges,  not  recognizing  Hortense  at  first  glance, 
cried : 

"Cut  them  down!     Allow  none  to  escape!" 

"Spare  him!  he  saved  me!"  groaned  Hortense. 

"Hortense  De  Barre!"  gasped  De  Gourges. 
"  You  here !  I  commanded  you  not  to  leave  camp. " 

"This  is  Estevan  who  rescued  me.  Spare  him!" 
she  answered. 

"Let  them  pass  to  the  rear." 

The  ranks  parted,  and  they  passed  through. 
The  French  dashed  on  to  vengeance,  and  Hortense 
led  Estevan  over  the  hill  out  of  sight  of  the  scene 
of  carnage;  then  she  sank  exhausted  on  the  ground. 

Francisco  Estevan  kneeled  at  her  side,  support- 


262  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

ing  the  head  of  the  half-fainting  girl,  while  the 
roar  of  battle  across  the  hill  grew  louder  every  mo 
ment.  The  boom  of  artillery  from  the  second  fort 
joined  in  with  the  din  of  carnage,  and  awoke  the 
sleeping  echoes  for  many  miles  around.  Estevan 
heeded  not  the  sounds  of  conflict.  He  saw  only  the 
sad,  sweet  face  of  his  half- unconscious  preserver,  on 
which  rested  a  smile  of  triumph.  He  heard  only 
the  low,  faint  whisper: 

"I  saved  him,  I  saved  him!" 

His  long  imprisonment  had  wrought  great  changes 
in  Francisco.  He  had  learned  that  man's  fanati 
cism  was  no  evidence  of  God's  love.  For  two" 
years  his  mind  had  been  blinded  to  earthly  objects 
that  he  might  look  within  and  see  spiritual  things, 
and  he  was  a  wiser  and  better  man  than  before. 

Hortense  and  the  Indian  had  arrived  at  early 
dawn  at  Fort  St.  Mattheo,  and  presented  the  order 
to  the  governor  of  the  fort  for  the  release  of  the 
prisoner.  The  governor  could  hardly  believe  at  first 
that  Melendez  would  issue  such  an  order;  but  tKfe 
writing  was  unmistakably  the  admiral's,  and  he 
had  the  prisoner  brought  up,  and  notified  him  that 
he  was  free.  Hortense,  whom  he  could  scarcely 
recognize  in  her  Indian  costume,  came  and  took 
his  hand,  and  hurried  him  away  so  that  the  be 
wildered  Spaniard  could  hardly  comprehend  how  it 
all  had  come  about.  Estevan  was  led  out  into  the 


RETRIBUTION.  263 

open  air;  he  felt  the  sweet-scented  breezes,  and 
saw  the  glorious  sunshine  of  morning,  and  then, 
before  a  word  of  explanation  could  be  given,  they 
were  rushing  hand  in  hand  through  charging  armies 
and  all  about  them  was  death  and  carnage.  In 
fact,  he  was  hardly  sure  that  it  was  not  all  a  dream, 
from  which  he  would  awake  to  find  himself  again 
in  his  loathsome  dungeon.  The  sun  was  so  bright 
it  almost  blinded  him.  The  forest  was  greener, 
and  the  wild  flowers  of  vermillion  and  gold  sweeter, 
and  the  soft  southern  skies  bluer  than  he  had  ever 
seen  them  before. 

The  thundering  jars  of  war  over  the  hill  alone 
reminded  him  that  it  was  all  a  stern  reality.  He 
had  scarcely  spoken  since  his  liberation ;  no  ex 
planation  had  been  made  to  him,  and  he  could  not 
understand  why  Hortense  was  lying  there,  pale 
and  exhausted,  her  beautiful  Indian  costume  stained 
with  mud  and  travel.  As  yet  the  half -fainting 
girl  could  only  murmur: 

"I  have  saved  him;  yes,  thank  God,  I  have 
saved  him!" 

"Hortense!"  he  said  at  last,  and  started  at  the 
sound  of  his  own  voice. 

"Francisco!" 

"How  did  it  come  about?     Am  I  free?" 

"Yes." 

means  that  carnage  over  the  hill?" 


264  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"The  French  have  come  to  destroy  the  Span 
iards." 

Both  were  silent  for  awhile,  and  then  she  was 
able  to  sit  up  and  gaze  about  her.  By  slow  de 
grees  the  rescued  man  came  to  realize  that  it  was 
no  dream,  and  that  he  was  in  truth  and  in  fact  lib 
erated.  He  had  passed  two  miserable  years  in  the 
dungeon,  and  there  had  been  a  great  conflict  wag 
ing  within  his  breast,  and  at  times  his  wrongs  had 
seemed  to  cry  out  to  heaven  for  vengeance.  When 
he  had  finally  despaired  of  freedom  he  was  sud 
denly  and  mysteriously  liberated.  No.  wonder 
that  he  was  filled  with  amazement  and  hardly  able 
to  believe  it  a  reality. 

"  Where  have  you  been,  Hortense?"  he  asked, 
when  he  found  her  strong  enough  to  converse  a 
little.  "  What  has  been  your  fate  since  we  parted 
on  that  morning  so  long  ago?" 

She  briefly  recounted  her  last  two  years'  experi 
ence  with  the  Indians,  who  had  treated  her  with 
kindness  and  respect.  Saturiova  had  been  a  father 
to  her,  and  had  sheltered  and  protected  her.  Then 
Estevan  wanted  to  know  all  about  the  French  army 
coming  to  Florida  and  his  own  liberation. 

Hortense  had  grown  a  little  stronger,  and  she 
told  him  of  the  arrival  of  De  Gourges  and  his  de 
signs  against  the  Spanish.  Having  learned  that 
Mendoza  was  ignorant  of  his  imprisonment,  and  as 


RETRIBUTION.  265 

drowning  people  grasp  at  straws,  she  determined  to 
appeal  to  the  priest  to  save  him.  Her  flight  from 
the  French  camp  with  Olacatora  and  their  terrible 
journey  were  depicted  in  as  few  words  as  possible. 
Then  she  told  of  the  success  of  the  expedition  and 
the  return,  and  concluded  with: 

"And,  with  God's  help,  I  saved  you." 

They  were  a  long  time  silent.  She  had  reduced 
her  strength  by  the  exertion  of  talking,  and  for 
several  moments  Estevan  was  too  much  overcome 
to  speak.  At  last  he  mastered  his  emotions  suffi 
ciently  to  say: 

"  Again  you  have  saved  my  life,  and  such  ob 
ligations  am  I  under  to  you  that  if  I  could  die  for 
you  I  would  be  happy." 

"Let  us  not  talk  of  death  nor  of  ourselves. 
Just  across  the  hill,  God's  creatures  are  being 
slaughtered  like  sheep." 

"Is  it  not  retribution?" 

"God  says,  'Thou  shalt  not  kill.'  " 

"  Would  you  spare  those  whom  your  country 
men  slay?" 

"I  would." 

"  Yet  they  slew  your  relatives  and  friends  and 
drove  you  to  a  life  of  exile  among  the  savages." 

"May  God  forgive  them!" 

The  Christianity  of  forgiveness,  mercy,  love,  and 
kindness  was  little  known  and  less  practised  dur- 


266  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

ing  the  age  of  bigotry;  and  he,  who  from  infancy 
had  been  set  apart  for  God's  work,  was  amazed  to 
find  a  real  forgiving  spirit  among  mortals.  He 
thought  there  must  be  something  wrong,  either  with 
her  or  with  himself,  and,  after  a  few  moments' 
silence,  he  asked: 

"Can  you,  a  Protestant,  forgive  a  Catholic?" 

"  What  matters  it  if  one  is  Protestant  or  Catholic? 
Are  we  not  all  God's  creatures?" 

"But  some  choose  to  believe  Him,  and  some  do 
not." 

"  All  believe  in  God.  There  is  only  a  difference 
in  the  mode  of  worship.  Should  I  slay  my  brother 
because  he  differs  from  me  about  the  mode  of  wor 
shipping  the  same  Supreme  Being?  God  forgive 
the  people  for  their  short-sightedness,  and  may  they 
all  see  His  holy  way  without  dimming  the  path  to 
glory  with  blood  and  crime." 

They  might  be  in  danger  in  their  present  posi 
tion,  he  thought,  and  he  asked  her  if  she  was  able 
to  go  on.  She  said  she  could  walk  again,  and, 
leaning  on  his  arm,  they  wandered  into  the  forest, 
neither  knowing  which  way  they  went.  They 
crossed  a  creek  on  a  log  and  hurried  on  into  the 
wilderness,  going  farther  and  farther  from  those 
sounds  of  conflict. 

Francisco  Estevan'«  mind  was  busy  with  the 


RETRIBUTION.  267 

past,  the  present,  and  the  future.  What  were  they 
to  do?  Should  the  French  prevail  would  she  be 
strong  enough  to  protect  him  against  their  ven 
geance,  and  should  his  own  countrymen  succeed, 
would  Hortense  be  spared?  Their  condition  was 
deplorable.  They  dared  not  trust  to  either  French 
men  or  Spaniards,  and  John  Gryrot,  their  arch 
enemy,  was  in  the  forest.  Their  plans  were  sud 
den,  and  formed  more  on  the  impulse  of  the  mo 
ment  than  from  reason. 

In  their  wanderings  they  left  the  sound  of  battle 
farther  and  farther  in  the  distance,  until  even  the 
roar  of  cannon  died  away.  At  last  they  came  to 
the  mossy  banks  of  a  brooklet,  and,  knowing  how 
tired  his  fair  companion  must  be,  he  said : 
"Let  us  rest  awhile." 

They  sat  down,  and,  after  a  long  and  thoughtful 
silence,  the  young  ecclesiastic  asked: 

"  Hortense,  you  are  a  Protestant  and  have  suf 
fered  by  the  persecutions  of  the  Catholics;  do  you 
believe  there  will  be  any  Papists  in  heaven?" 
"Yes;  all  good  Papists  will  go  there." 
"Then  you  think  there  are  good  Catholics?" 
"There  are  many,  and  God  will  bless  them." 
"Will  there  be  fellowship  between  Catholics  and 
Protestants  in  heaven?" 

"In  heaven  the  scales  of  superstition  and  the 


268  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

motes  of  bigotry  will  be  removed  from  our  eyes, 
and  we  shall  see  each  other  as  we  really  are.  All 
will  be  brothers  there." 

"  And  will  they  be  brothers  here?" 

"  Yes,  when  the  age  of  ignorance  and  supersti 
tious  bigotry  gives  place  to  reason,  then  the  good 
Catholic  and  good  Protestant  will  clasp  hands 
across  the  smouldering  fires  of  martyrdom,  and  all 
will  worship  God  as  different  members  of  one  great 
family." 

He  was  silent  for  a  moment,  and  then  broke  forth 
with: 

"You  are  not  only  the  best,  but  the  wisest  per 
son  living." 

At  this  moment  a  small  party  of  Spaniards,  who 
had  broken  through  the  ranks  of  their  enemies, 
were  seen  flying  through  the  wood  toward  them. 
Francisco  and  Hortense  had  just  time  to  conceal 
themselves,  when  the  frightened  Spaniards  rushed 
by.  One  of  them  dropped  his  sword,  but  was 
either  too  much  frightened  to  miss  it  or  to  pause  to 
pick  it  up.  When  they  were  gone,  Hortense  said: 

"Secure  the  sword;  we  may  need  it." 

He  did  so. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

NOT  AS  SPANIARDS   AND    MARINERS,  BUT    AS  TRAI 
TORS,  ROBBERS,  AND   MURDERERS. 

THE  fugitives,  realizing  that  they  were  not  safe 
in  their  present  location,  continued  to  retreat,  but 
were  compelled  to  travel  slowly,  owing  to  the  ex 
hausted  condition  of  Hortense.  Her  feet  were  be 
coming  sore  from  frequent  bruises  and  long  travel, 
and  her  moccasins  were  so  worn  as  to  form  little 
protection.  The  future  to  them  was  a  dark  blank 
into  which  they  could  not  project  a  single  plan. 
For  the  present  they  insinctively  resolved  to  keep 
out  of  the  hands  of  both  the  French  and  Spanish, 
and  see  how  affairs  would  turn  out.  Their  food 
was  the  wild  fruit  which  grew  in  abundance. 

When  night  came  he  cut  some  branches  with  his 
sword  and  made  her  a  bed  of  leaves,  on  which  she 
slept  as  peacefully  and  sweetly  as  if  at  home.  The 
young  Spaniard  kept  guard,  watching  the  stars 
which  he  had  not  seen  for  so  many  months.  He 
found  liberty  and  pure  air  so  sweet  that  he  had  no 
inclination  to  sleep.  Several  times  during  the 
night  escaped  fugitives  could  be  heard  hurrying 
269 


270  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

through  the  wood,  recalling  that  horrible  night  at 
Carolinia,  when  the  Huguenots  were  slain,  and  he 
thought: 

"Perhaps,  after  all,  it  is  justice." 

When  morning  dawned  he  killed  a  bird  with  a 
stone,  and  dressing  it,  broiled  it  over  the  smoul 
dering  embers  of  a  camp-fire  left  by  the  French 
army.  He  gave  the  cooked  bird  to  Hortense,  who 
insisted  on  his  sharing  it  with  her. 

As  they  journeyed  still  farther  into  the  forest 
he  tried  to  form  some  plan  for  the  future,  but  was 
unable  as  yet  to  come  to  any  definite  conclusion. 
To  wait,  hope,  and  depend  on  circumstances  to  help 
them  out  seemed  their  only  choice.  They  were 
walking  slowly  and  painfully  along  the  forest  path 
when  they  espied  a  man  coming  toward  them. 
One  glance  at  the  white  face,  stooped  shoulders, 
and  cruel  eyes,  and  despite  the  changes  wrought  by 
hunger,  toil,  and  exposure,  Hortense  De  Barre 
recognized  John  Gyrot. 

He  had  managed  to  shake  off  his  pursuers,  and 
was  on  his  way  to  Fort  St.  Mattheo,  when  he  met 
a  wounded  Spaniard,  a  fugitive  from  the  mas 
sacre.  He  gave  Gyrot  a  sword  and  told  him  of 
the  attack  on  the  forts.  Gyrot  abandoned  the 
wounded  Spaniard,  and  was  on  his  way  to  St.  Au 
gustine,  when  he  came  upon  Francisco  and  Hor 
tense. 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.         271 

"Monsieur  and  mademoiselle,  a  delightful  morn 
ing,"  said  Gyrot.  Days  of  flight  and  hardship  had 
not  robbed  his  white  face  of  the  ironical  sneer  which 
had  become  habitual. 

Hortense  recoiled  as  she  would  from  a  loathsome 
serpent,  and  Gyrot,  observing  her  aversion,  ad 
vanced  a  step  or  two  nearer,  and  continued: 

"I  have  longed  to  find  mademoiselle,  and  now 
that  I  have,  I  shall  return  with  her  in  triumph  to 
St.  Augustine." 

"Stop!"  cried  Estevan,  seizing  his  sword  in  his 
right  hand.  "  Senor  Gyrot,  advance  another  step 
at  your  peril." 

"Oh!  the  prisoner  has  escaped;  the  priest  has 
become  a  soldier.  Back  to  your  cage,  you  dan 
gerous  beast,  or  I  may  in  truth  punish  you!" 

Without  paying  any  heed  to  his  insulting  re 
mark,  Francisco  Estevan  added: 

"  Advance  another  step  toward  the  senorita  and 
I  will  run  you  through  the  body." 

"Monsieur's  words  are  strong;  but  I  doubt  if  he 
hath  the  courage  of  which  he  boasts." 

"John  Gyrot,  if  you  go  your  way  I  will  not 
harm  you;  if  you  remain,  one  of  us  must  die." 

"Very  well,  we  will  see  if  a  priest  can  handle  a 
sword." 

The  Frenchman  drew  his  own  blade  and  care 
lessly  threw  away  the  scabbard. 


272  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

"O  God,  they  are  going  to  fight!"  Hortense 
groaned,  her  face  pale  with  dread  and  her  eyes 
dimmed  with  tears. 

"Get  out  of  the  way,  Hortense,"  Estevan  whis 
pered,  "and  pray  to  God  for  victory." 

She  ran  and  fell  upon  her  knees  behind  a  tree, 
where,  burying  her  face  in  her  hands,  she  prayed. 
The  combatants  spoke  not,  but  soon  she  heard  the 
clash  of  steel  against  steel,  and  their  heavy  breath 
ing  told  her  how  fierce  was  the  conflict.  She  dared 
not  look  up  lest  her  eyes  might  behold  that  which 
would  have  driven  her  mad.  The  combat  seemed 
to  the  anxious  girl  to  last  for  hours.  A  curse  of 
rage  from  John  Gyrot  made  her  hope  that  he  was 
getting  worsted.  The  blows  fell  thicker  and  faster, 
and  the  fight  had  reached  its  zenith,  when  there 
came  a  sharp,  wild  cry,  a  groan  and  then  a  fall. 

It  was  over,  but  how  had  it  ended?  She  would 
have  given  worlds  to  know,  yet  she  dared  not  look 
up  to  see.  Some  one  was  approaching,  and  yet  she 
had  not  the  courage  to  glance  up  and  see  whether 
it  was  a  friend  or  foe.  A  hand  touched  her,  and 
a  voice  which  she  recognized  as  Estevan's  said : 

"It  is  all  over — let  us  go." 

With  a  sob  of  joy  she  started  to  her  feet  and 
asked : 

"Are  you  wounded?" 

"Not  a  scratch." 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.        273 

lie  led  her  in  another  direction,  that  she  might 
not  be  horrified  by  that  ghastly  object  lying  among 
the  bushes,  staining  the  grass  to  crimson  with  its 
life-blood. 

For  the  present  it  will  be  necessary  to  take  leave 
of  Francisco  and  Hortense, 
and  return  to  De  Gourges 
and  his  army,  whom  we  left 
just   after 
the  storming 
of   the   first 
fort. 

No  sooner 
had  the 
Span 
iards  been  driven 
from  the  first  fort 
than  their  friends 
in  the  second  be 
gan  an  incessant 

"IT  WAS  OVER,   BUT  HOW   HAD  IT  ENDED?  " 

fire  on  the  1<  rench 

with  their  cannon ;  but  De  Gourges  drew  out  the  artil 
lery  from  the  first  fort,  and  played  on  the  Spaniards 
so  effectually,  while  the  Indians  aided  him  so  vigor 
ously,  that  the  enemy  deserted  the  fort  and  betook 
themselves  to  the  woods,  where  all  were  captured  or 
slain  save  a  few  who  managed  to  make  their  escape. 
18 


274  SAINT 

The  main  fort,  Carolinia,  or  St.  Mattheo,  still 
remained  to  be  reduced.  It  being  the  strongest  of 
the  three,  De  Gourges  hesitated  about  attacking  it 
at  once.  The  entire  day  had  been  spent  in  reduc 
ing  the  first  two,  and  his  men  were  considerably 
exhausted,  especially  as  they  had  marched  nearly 
all  the  preceding  night. 

"We  must  wait  and  rest,"  he  said  to  Lieutenant 
Cassenove,  who  was  eager  to  dash  on  St.  Mattheo 
and  make  an  end  of  the  business.  "  The  soldiers 
and  Indians,"  continued  De  Gourges,  "are  too 
much  fatigued.  We  need  food,  rest,  and  sleep; 
besides,  we  must  learn  something  of  the  fort  we  are 
to  attack." 

"How  will  you?" 

"Have  we  no  prisoners?" 

"Yes,  several." 

"Bring  one  to  me." 

Cassenove  left  the  commandant  and  soon  returned 
with  an  old  Spanish  sergeant. 

"Do  you  speak  French?"  asked  De  Gourges. 

The  Spaniard  shook  his  head.  De  Gourges  had 
some  knowledge  of  the  Spanish,  gained  while  a 
slave  at  the  galleys,  and  in  that  language  proceeded 
to  interrogate  him  in  regard  to  the  fort. 

The  old  sergeant  shook  his  head  and  answered : 

"I  cannot  betray  my  countrymen." 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.        275 

"You  must  answer  my  questions,  or  I  will  hang 
you." 

The  sergeant  proved  a  little  stubborn,  and  De 
Gourges  sent  for  a  rope  and  had  a  noose  fixed  over 
his  neck.  When  thus  confronted  with  death,  the 
sergeant  proceeded  to  give  him  information  regard 
ing  the  fort. 

"Have  you  told  me  the  truth?"  asked  the 
French  commandant. 

"Yes." 

Producing  a  crucifix,  De  Gourges  made  him 
swear  to  the  truth  of  his  statement.  The  French 
commandant  realized  that  he  had  no  means  of  suc 
ceeding  against  the  remaining  fort,  save  by  a 
scalade.  The  two  following  days  were  passed  in 
making  ladders  and  preparing  to  scale  the  fort. 
In  the  mean  while,  De  Gourges  planted  such  a  num 
ber  of  Indians  around  the  fort  that  it  was  impos 
sible  for  the  Spaniards  to  escape  or  come  to  any 
knowledge  of  his  strength. 

The  Spanish  commandant,  who  was  enterprising 
as  well  as  bold,  caused  one  of  his  men  to  disguise 
himself  like  an  Indian  and  mingle  with  the  be 
siegers,  who,  having  thrown  up  breastworks  and 
planted  cannon,  occasionally  bombarded  the  fort. 
The  cannon  were  small  and  the  fort  strong,  so  the 
chances  of  a  breech  were  not  very  great.  At  night 


276  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Olacatora  sought  oat  the  French  commander  and 
informed  him  that  they  had  a  spy  from  the  fort  in 
their  midst.  De  Gourges  was  not  a  little  amazed 
at  the  information  and  asked  who  he  was. 

"  A  Spaniard  from  the  fort,  disguised  as  an  Ind 
ian.  Shall  I  slay  him?  " 

De  Gourges,  thinking  he  might  use  the  spy  to  a 
good  advantage,  answered: 

"By  no  means;  but  take  with  you  four  of  your 
strongest  men,  seize  him  from  behind,  bind  him, 
and  bring  him  to  me." 

The  Indian  bowed  and  silently  retired.  In  an 
hour  they  returned  with  the  spy  bound.  De 
Gourges  gazed  at  the  man,  who  met  his  gaze  with 
faltering  eye. 

"  You  came  to  our  camp  to  spy.  Do  you  know 
what  the  fate  of  a  spy  is?" 

The  Spaniard  began  to  implore  him  to  spare  his 
life.  Although  De  Gourges  at  first  designed  him 
for  the  gallows,  he  concluded  that  he  might  use 
him  to  a  better  purpose,  and  he  spared  him  on  con 
dition  that  he  give  a  faithful  description  of  the 
fort,  and  all  the  information  he  knew  concerning 
the  Spaniards.  The  fellow  freely  told  all  he  knew, 
and  agreed  to  go  and  snow  them  the  way  to  the 
fort,  and,  in  fact,  a  great  part  of  De  Gourges'  suc 
cess  was  owing  to  the  information  this  man  com 
municated. 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.         277 

The  night  before  the  final  attack  on  the  fort,  De 
Gourges  sent  for  Olacatora.  The  Indian  came  and 
the  commandant  said: 

"I  want  an  explanation,  Olacatora,  for  your 
strange  disappearance,  also  the  disappearance  of 
Hortense  De  Barre,  and  how  we  found  you  here." 

The  Indian  hesitated  for  a  few  moments,  and 
then  told  the  story  of  their  journey  to  St.  Augus 
tine,  its  object,  and  the  rescue  of  the  prisoner  at 
St.  Mattheo.  At  first  the  French  commandant 
was  inclined  to  feel  angry  at  the  girl  who  had 
defied  his  authority;  but  reflection  cooled  his  anger, 
for  she  had  acted  a  noble,  self-sacrificing  part. 

"Have  you  seen  them  since  the  attack?"  he 
asked. 

"No." 

"They  must  be  lingering  in  the  wood." 

"Yes." 

"  We  will  find  them  as  soon  as  we  have  hum 
bled  Fort  Carolinia,  and  I  will  bring  Hortense 
home  with  me." 

The  sigh  that  escaped  the  Indian's  lips  was  not 
unnoticed  by  the  French  commandant. 

"  Poor  fellow,  can  he  not  see  that  the  man  whom 
he  rescued  is  his  rival?"  thought  De  Gourges, 
when  the  Indian  was  gone. 

Next  morning  everything  was  ready  for  the 
attack.  De  Gourges  made  such  disposition  of  the 


278  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Indians  as  would  render  it  extremely  difficult  for 
any  of  the  Spaniards  to  escape  when  the  fort  should 
be  taken.  Under  direction  of  the  sergeant  and 
spy  he  advanced  to  the  attack,  marching  to  the 
top  of  a  little  hill,  from  whence  he  had  a  full 
view  of  the  strength  and  weakness  of  the  fort.  It 
was  his  intention  to  make  a  demonstration  and 
delay  the  attack  until  next  morning;  but  scarce 
had  he  reached  the  hill  when  he  discovered  a  com 
motion  within  the  fort. 

"What  does  that  mean?"  asked  De  Gourges. 

"  They  are  going  to  make  a  sortie  and  attack 
us,"  answered  Cassenove,  who  saw  a  body  of  men 
headed  by  fourteen  musketeers  pass  through  the 
gate  and  advance  up  the  hill.  "  Monsieur,  there 
comes  the  flower  of  the  Spanish  army." 

"I  see,  and  we  shall  prepare  a  trap  for  them." 

De  Gourges  quickly  wheeled  his  men  and  placed 
the  divisions  so  as  to  flank  the  enemy  and  cut  off 
all  possible  chance  of  retreat.  The  French  had 
their  match-cords  lighted  and  gun -pans  open  to 
receive  the  Spaniards.  The  wheel-lock  pistols  had 
just  come  into  use,  and  De  Gourges  was  armed 
with  a  pair  of  those  weapons.  Taking  the  spanner 
from  his  belt  he  wound  up  the  mechanism  of  the 
locks  as  the  enemy  advanced  and  waited  on  the  hill 
to  send  death  into  their  ranks,  while  his  main  lines 
were  concealed  behind  some  low  bushes  and  grass. 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.         279 

On  came  the  enemy  directly  toward  the  hillock 
on  which  De  Gourges  stood,  a  pistol  in  each  hand. 
When  within  musket  range  they  fired  and  charged 
the  French.  The  concealed  lines  now  rose  and 
poured  in  a  volley  front  and  flank,  which  mowed 
down  the  gallant  Spaniards.  Their  leader  saw 
that  the  situation  was  desperate,  but  not  once  did 
he  think  of  returning.  He  sounded  the  old  Span 
ish  war-cry  which  had  cheered  Balboa,  Cortez,  and 
Pizarro  to  deeds  of  valor,  but  it  failed  to  bring 
victory.  They  did  not  battle  with  heathen,  but 
with  an  enraged  civilized  foe.  Matchlocks  were 
thrown  aside,  and  with  swords,  lances,  and  halberds 
they  flew  at  each  other.  De  Gourges,  having 
emptied  his  pistols,  drew  his  sword  and  plunged 
into  the  thickest  of  the  fray.  The  Spanish 
leader  was  slain,  but  his  companions  fought  des 
perately  until  one  by  one  they  fell  to  rise  no  more. 

This  slaughter  being  made  under  the  eyes  of  the 
besieged,  they  lost  all  heart,  and,  regardless  of  the 
orders  of  officers,  who  realized  that  their  only  hope 
lay  in  defending  the  fort,  they  leaped  over  the 
works  and  ran  away  like  frightened  sheep  into  the 
woods.  Here  a  terrible  fate  awaited  them.  Satu- 
riova,  who  was  itching  to  get  at  the  enemy,  and 
who  began  to  fear  that  the  French  would  have  all 
the  glory  to  themselves,  saw,  with  no  little  degree 
of  satisfaction,  the  enemy  rushing  right  into  his 


280  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

hands.  A  yell,  as  if  ten  thousand  demons  had 
suddenly  broken  lose,  rose  on  the  air,  and  the  Ind 
ians  fell  on  them  right  and  left,  front  and  rear; 
wherever  they  turned  they  were  met  by  merciless 
enemies,  who  beat  them  down  with  clubs,  pierced 
them  with  javelins,  or  shot  them  with  arrows. 
The  Spaniards  endeavored  to  escape  another  way, 
but  were  met  by  De  Gourges,  who  laid  most  of 
them  dead  on  the  spot.  To  complete  his  revenge, 
he  saved  the  rest  from  the  hands  of  the  savages 
that  he  might  resign  them  to  those  of  the  execu 
tioner.  De  Gourges  then  ordered  all  the  captives 
to  be  taken  to  the  large  oak  on  which  so  many 
Frenchmen  had  perished,  and  when  he  had  ranged 
them  beneath  it  he  said: 

"This  punishment  is  but  a  just  retribution. 
Two  years  ago  you  found  a  handful  of  Frenchmen, 
women  and  children,  in  that  fort,  who  had  come 
to  the  wilderness  seeking  homes.  You  fell  on 
them  and  cruelly  murdered  them,  and  on  this  very 
tree  on  which  I  intend  to  hang  you,  you  hanged  all 
whom  you  had  not  slain." 

One  of  the  Spaniards  interposed  that  he  had 
nothing  to  do  with  the  massacre,  as  he  had  come 
to  Florida  subsequently  to  the  event;  but  De 
Gourges  answered  that  his  nation  had  done  it,  and 
his  presence  sanctioned  the  deed,  so  he  must  die 
with  the  others.  Every  one  was  hanged  upon  the 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.        281 

tree,  on  which  De  Gourges  placed  the  following 
inscription  in  imitation  of  Melendez: 

"  /  do  not  hang  these  people  as  Spaniards,  nor  as 
the  spawn  of  infidels,  but  as  traitors,  robbers,  and 
murderers. " 

The  detestable  example  of  Melendez  was  not 
sufficient  excuse  for  such  horrible  retaliation, 
especially  when  we  consider  that  most  of  the  guilty 
escaped,  and  nearly  all  on  whom  the  wrath  of  De 
Gourges  was  visited  were  innocent  of  the  blood  of 
the  Huguenots.  De  Gourges  was  no  more  than  a 
pirate,  for  he  was  not  legally  entitled  to  sail  on  the 
coast  of  Florida,  much  less  to  make  such  reprisals; 
but  in  those  days  the  morals  of  nations  and  indi 
viduals  were  lax.  Spain  had  acquired  immense 
treasures  in  the  New  World,  had  grown  powerful 
in  conquest,  and  was  an  object  of  envy  for  every 
European  power.  Envy  is  the  brother  of  hate,  and 
piracies  against  the  wealthy  Spaniards  were  con 
sidered  legitimate  enterprises,  and  many  European 
powers  applauded  the  work  of  the  Frenchmen.  It 
must  be  acknowledged,  however,  that  De  Gourges 
undertook  this  expedition  from  very  disinterested 
motives;  for  before  he  entered  upon  it  he  knew 
that  he  had  neither  men  to  keep  the  forts  nor 
money  to  pay  them,  and  that  it  was  impossible  to 
procure  them  subsistence  even  for  money. 

Satisfied  with  having  avenged  his  slaughtered 


282  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

countrymen,  De  Gourges  demolished  the  three 
forts,  placed  their  artillery  on  board  his  own  ves 
sels,  and  prepared  to  return  to  Europe.  Saturiova 
urged  the  French  to  remain  and  hold  Florida, 
promising  him  the  aid  of  all  his  warriors,  but  De 
Gourges  knew  the  Indians  would  be  insufficient 
against  the  horde  of  Spaniards  who  would  be  sent 
against  them.  The  savages  loaded  the  French 
with  the  most  extravagant  praises  for  an  action 
which  was  so  much  in  their  own  manner,  but 
which  far  exceeded  their  abilities  to  perform. 
Search  was  made  for  Hortense,  but  she  could  not 
be  found,  and  as  the  French  were  fearful  lest  a 
heavy  re-enforcement  might  come  from  St.  Augus 
tine,  they  set  sail  on  the  third  of  May,  and  on  the 
sixth  of  June  arrived  at  Rochelle,  having  suffered 
greatly  on  the  voyage  from  storms  and  famine. 

Before  their  return,  the  court  of  Spain,  having 
received  intelligence  of  the  expedition,  fitted  out  a 
squadron  to  intercept  De  Gourges,  from  which  he 
narrowly  escaped.  Upon  landing,  his  old  friend, 
the  Marshal  De  Moutluc,  highly  extolled  his  valor 
and  conduct,  and  advised  him  to  go  to  court. 

Fortunately  for  De  Gourges,  at  this  moment  the 
Protestant  party  was  so  powerful  in  France  that 
the  government  dared  not  provoke  it  by  inflicting 
on  him  any  unreasonable  severity,  and  the  French 
in  general,  Catholic  as  well  as  Protestant,  approved 


NOT  AS  SPANIARDS  AND  MARINERS.         283 

what  he  had  done.  On  the  other  hand,  the  friend 
ship  of  Spain  happened  at  this  time  to  be  necessary 
to  the  French  king  and  the  Catholic  part  of  his 
government.  De  Gourges  was  coldly  received  at 
the  French  court,  and  was  secretly  warned  to  with 
draw  to  avoid  the  fury  of  the  queen-mother,  Catha 
rine  de  Medici,  and  the  Spaniard  faction,  who 
pressed  the  king  to  have  De  Gourges  arrested  and 
sent  to  Madrid  to  be  tried  for  piracy. 

The  avenger  of  the  Huguenots  fled  to  Rouen, 
where  he  was  concealed  by  the  president,  De 
Marigny,  and  so  reduced  were  his  circumstances 
that  he  owed  his  daily  life  to  that  magistrate's 
generosity.  This  persecution  only  tended  to  in 
crease  his  fame,  however,  which  at  last  made  such 
an  impression  on  the  French  king  that  he  restored 
him  to  favor.  It  is  said  by  some  that  Queen 
Elizabeth  offered  him  a  place  in  her  navy,  which  he 
declined.  Don  Antonio  of  Portugal  offered  him 
command  of  a  fleet  he  was  fitting  out  to  recover 
the  crown  of  Portugal  from  PHILIP  II.  of  Spain; 
but  while  De  Gourges  was  going  to  take  possession 
of  that  honorable  commission,  he  suddenly  fell  sick, 
and  after  a  short  illness  died  at  Tours. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

DEFYING   THE    FATES. 

THE  morning  after  the  fatal  encounter  with  Gyrot, 
Francisco  Estevan  received  so  much  evidence  of 
the  success  of  De  Gourges'  attack  on  the  forts  that 
he  resolved  to  return  to  the  French  with  the  girl, 
who  was  growing  more  lame  every  mile  they 
travelled.  He  asked  Hortense  if  she  would  not 
like  to  go  to  her  people. 

"I  would,"  she  answered. 

She  bore  up  with  wonderful  fortitude,  and  had 
scarcely  uttered  a  murmur,  though  she  suffered 
continually. 

"Do  you  think  the  French  will  march  to  St. 
Augustine?"  he  asked. 

"I  do  not  know." 

"  I  would  take  you  there,  but  we  might  only  be 
running  into  another  scene  of  carnage  and  danger, 
of  which  we  have  already  had  enough,  so  we  had 
better  go  to  the  French  fleet." 

"I  think  so,"  she  answered. 

Hortense  was  too  weak  to  travel  rapidly.     Her 


DEFYING    THE   FATES.  285 

feet  were  sore  and  her  moccasins  so  worn  as  to 
afford  but  little  protection.  That  evening  they 
met  some  Indians,  who  told  them  of  the  fall  of  St. 
Mattheo  and  the  retreat  of  the  French  to  their  ships. 
One  of  the  Indians  belonged  to  Saturiova  and  he 
gave  Francisco  a  javelin,  a  bow,  some  arrows,  and, 
what  was  of  more  value,  some  food. 

When  the  Indians  were  gone,  Francisco  said: 

"  Hortense,  we  must  hasten  or  the  French  will 
embark  before  we  overtake  them." 

She  made  no  answer  and  they  journeyed  on  in 
silence.  At  every  mile  they  met  parties  of  Indians 
returning  from  the  war,  and  from  them  received  a 
full  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  forts  and  the 
utter  annihilation  of  the  Spaniards.  From  one  of 
the  Indians  Francisco  procured  a  pair  of  moccasins 
for  Hortense,  whose  feet  were  almost  bare.  They 
met  a  part  of  Saturiova's  warriors,  who  told  them 
that  their  chief,  with  many  of  his  men,  had  gone  to 
see  the  French  embark  and  give  them  their  parting 
blessing. 

Despite  all  his  energy  and  anxiety,  with  Hor 
tense  so  lame,  Francisco  was  only  able  to  make 
three  or  four  miles  a  day,  while  the  French  army 
was  no  doubt  travelling  much  faster. 

Next  morning  he  came  upon  two  Indians  with 
whom  he  had  been  acquainted  before  his  imprison 
ment,  and  prevailed  on  them  to  make  a  sort  of  a 


286  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

litter  of  two  poles  with  a  seat  of  bark  between,  on 
which  he  placed  Hortense.  The  litter  was  carried 
between  the  two  stout  Indians,  and  they  went  so 
much  faster  that  he  began  to  hope  they  would  reach 
the  French  fleet  before  it  sailed. 

One  evening,  when  but  a  few  miles  from  the 
river,  the  Indians  came  to  an  abrupt  halt,  put 
down  the  litter,  and  began  to  make  preparations 
for  camping. 

"Won't  you  goon?"  Francisco  asked.  "We 
are  but  three  or  four  hours'  journey  from  the 
fleet."  The  oldest  of  the  Indians  shook  his  head 
and  said: 

"No." 

"But  the  ships  may  sail  before  we  can  reach 
them  in  the  morning,"  urged  Francisco. 

"  Indians  are  tired,  and  will  not  go  until  morn 
ing." 

"Morning  may  be  too  late.  The  senorita's 
people  will  leave,  and  she  will  be  left  behind.  She 
has  been  a  long  while  from  home." 

Francisco  Estevan,  from  what  he  had  heard  of 
the  French  expedition,  had  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  De  Gourges  had  only  come  to  strike  a  blow 
and  retreat.  The  French  had  no  intention  of 
attempting  to  found  a  permanent  colony  in  Flor 
ida.  Since  the  French  did  not  attack  St.  Augus 
tine,  he  surmised  they  were  not  strong  enough. 


DEFYING    THE  FATES.  287 

They  had  good  cause  to  dread  Melendez  and  would 
not  linger  long  in  the  country,  so  the  young  Span 
iard  knew  that  every  moment  was  precious,  and  he 
urged  upon  the  Indians  the  necessity  of  reaching  the 
river  that  night.  No  one  save  those  acquainted 
with  the  American  aborigines  can  appreciate  Indian 
obstinacy.  He  is  sullen  and  stubborn,  refusing 
to  be  moved  by  threats,  though  susceptible  to 
bribery,  and  had  Francisco  possessed  a  few  trinkets 
he  might  have  hired  the  savages  to  make  some  ex 
tra  exertions.  As  he  had  just  escaped  from  prison 
and  had  nothing  to  excite  their  cupidity,  all  he 
could  do  was  to  await  their  pleasure. 

"I  have  done  all  I  can,"  he  said  somewhat 
despairingly.  "  I  have  nothing  to  give  them,  and 
I  cannot  force  them  to  go  on." 

"  You  have  done  what  you  could;  think  no  more 
about  it,"  the  brave  girl  answered.  She  made  no 
complaint,  not  even  uttering  a  sigh  of  regret. 

"But  to  be  so  near  the  ships  and  know  the  dan 
ger  of  their  sailing  is  maddening." 

"  If  they  sail  my  condition  will  be  no  worse  than 
before,"  she  answered,  her  face  full  of  hope  and 
trust. 

"No,  I  trust  it  will  be  better,"  he  answered. 

"  Then  let  us  not  complain,"  said  the  patient  Hor- 
tense,  while  there  flitted  over  her  face  a  sweet  smile. 
"If  God  wills  it  otherwise,  His  will  be  done." 


283  SAINT   AUGUSTINE. 

"It  is  on  your  account  alone  that  I  regret  it," 
he  returned  with  a  sigh.  "  I  have  no  intention  of 
going  to  France,  but  the  disappointment  to  you 
will  be  overwhelming.  If  you  could  only  walk  a 
little  we  might  reach  it." 

"My  feet  forbid  my  walking  a  mile." 

"  Then  let  me  strap  you  on  my  back  as  the  porter 
Indians  in  the  Andes  carry  people. " 

"No,  no,  monsieur;  you  have  done  quite 
enough,"  said  Hortense.  "Wait  until  morning." 

"But  suppose  De  Gourges  and  all  his  fleet 
should  be  gone?" 

"God  will  provide  for  me,  monsieur.  What 
ever  may  happen,  I  will  trust  wholly  in  Him." 

He  made  her  a  bed  of  leaves  and  branches, 
spread  a  soft  Indian  tanned  robe  upon  it,  and  Hor 
tense  slept  sweetly,  while  he  sat  all  night  long  by 
the  watch-fire  in  silence. 

Next  morning  he  awoke  the  sleepy  Indians  at 
daylight,  and,  after  an  early  breakfast,  the  party 
set  out  for  the  river  in  which  the  French  fleet  was 
anchored. 

Francisco  Estevan's  own  future  was  dark  and 
uncertain.  Hortense  knew  he  was  not  going  to 
France,  and  though  she  was  anxious  to  know 
what  he  would  do,  she  refrained  from  asking  him. 
Having  been  pardoned  by  Melendez,  and  being 
a  Spaniard,  Francisco  had  decided  in  his  own 


DEFYING    THE  FATES.  289 

mind  to  go  to  St.  Augustine  and  await  an  oppor 
tunity  to  return  to  Cuba.  He  had  been  away 
from  his  home  so  many  years,  and  such  a  great 
length  of  time  had  elapsed  since  relatives  and 
friends  had  heard  from  him,  that  they  no  doubt 
long  since  had  given  him  up  for  dead.  His  return 
at  this  late  day  would  be  like  a  resurrection  from 
the  tomb. 

With  these  thoughts  he  was  beguiling  the  tedium 
of  the  morning  march,  when  one  of  the  Indians 
carrying  the  litter  informed  him  that  on  reaching 
the  top  of  a  hill  a  short  distance  before  them  they 
would  be  able  to  see  the  river. 

"Travel  faster,"  urged  the  impatient  Spaniard. 
"  Travel  faster,  for  we  have  no  time  to  lose.  We 
must  reach  the  river  before  the  French  ships  sail." 

"We  go  as  fast  as  we  can,"  answered  one  of  the 
carriers. 

The  consuming  anxiety  of  the  moment  caused  the 
perspiration  to  start  on  Estevan's  face.  He  ran 
ahead  of  the  carriers,  and,  gaining  the  summit  from 
which  he  had  a  view  of  the  harbor  and  ocean, 
saw  the  white  sails  of  the  French  fleet  far  out  to 
sea. 

"Too  late — too  late!"  he  groaned,  leaning 
against  a  tree. 

The  Indians  came  up  and  placed  the  litter  on  the 
ground.  Hortense  gazed  off  over  the  bay  and  the 
19 


290  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

sea  at  the  sails  of  those  homeward-bound  ships. 
She  did  not  weep ;  she  did  not  sigh ;  but,  patient 
and  resigned  to  the  last,  she  gazed  calmly  after  the 
departing  vessels.  By  her  side  stood  Francisco, 
more  overcome  than  she.  He  grasped  her  hand, 
their  eyes  met,  and  for  a  moment  they  gazed  in 
silence  at  each  other. 

The  great  moment  in  Francisco's  life  had  come, 
and  it  was  like  other  moments.  His  doom  was 
spoken  in  a  word.  A  single  look  from  the  eyes, 
a  single  pressure  from  the  hand  decided  it  before 
the  lips  could  speak.  For  a  moment  his  agitation 
was  perceptible,  even  to  the  savages ;  then  a  change 
came  over  his  face.  He  grew  calmer,  and,  turning 
to  the  carriers,  signed  them  to  go  away.  They 
understood  that  he  wished  to  be  alone  with  the  lily 
and  left  them.  Turning  to  her,  he  said  in  a  voice 
strangely  calm,  yet  which  seemed  to  come  from 
the  depths  of  his  soul: 

"Hortense,  God  has  decreed  it." 

She  turned  her  inquiring  eyes  on  him,  and  after 
waiting  a  moment  to  gain  control  over  his  emotions, 
he  pointed  to  the  French  sails  Just  disappearing 
over  the  horizon  and  repeated: 

"God  has  decreed  it;  why  longer  try  to  resist 
the  will  of  Heaven?" 

His  manner  and  his  words  were  an  enigma  to 
her,  and  she  answered: 


DEFYING    THE   FATES.  291 

"  Monsieur,  you  speak  strangely.  I — I  do  not 
understand  you." 

"  Listen  to  me,  Hortense.  The  scales  have  fallen 
from  my  eyes,  and  I  see  the  hand  of  God  in  it  all 
from  the  beginning." 

Her  blue  eyes  grew  round  with  wonder,  and  she 
was  almost  ready  to  doubt  his  sanity.  Why  did 
his  face  glow  with  joy  and  rapture?  Why  did  he 
cling  to  her  hand  while  his  breath  came  rapidly, 
as  if  he  labored  under  some  great  excitement? 
Before  she  could  speak  he  added: 

"Yes,  Hortense,  from  the  beginning  to  the  pres 
ent  hour  I  clearly  see  the  hand  of  God  which 
decrees  that  which  must  be.  Go  back  to  the  hour 
of  our  first  meeting.  Why  was  I  the  only  one 
saved  from  the  wreck?  Why  should  I  be  rescued, 
and  by  you,  if  God  had  not  some  design?  I  tore 
myself  rudely  away  from  you  and  lived  a  miser 
able  existence  until  again  we  met.  When  we  were 
attacked  by  the  pirate  ship,  I,  of  all  the  passengers 
and  crew,  was  spared.  When  the  French  bore 
away  to  Fort  Carolinia,  I  alone  of  all  was  brought 
here.  Why  should  it  be  so,  if  God  had  not 
wished  it?" 

She  watched  him,  her  great  earnest  eyes  filled 
with  wonder,  while  her  heart  beat  wildly.  He 
went  on: 

"  If  God  did  not  decree  it,  why  were  you  brought 


292  SAINT  AUGUSTINE 

where  I  was?  I  did  not  expect  it,  neither  did 
you.  The  meeting  was  not  planned  by  us,  but 
by  God.  Why  was  I  able  to  rescue  you  from 
among  so  many  others  and  place  you  with  Satu- 
riova,  if  God  had  not  designed  it?  It  was  God 
who  designed  that  you  should  in  turn  rescue  me, 
and  that  we  should  be  left  to  each  other  in  this 
strange  New  World.  O  Hortense!  are  you  still  as 
blind  as  I  have  been?  Do  you  not  know  that  we 
were  designed  for  each  other?" 

She  was  dumb  with  amazement,  her  heart  palpi 
tating,  her  face  radiant  with  hope  and  joy,  her 
breath  coming  by  quick  gasps,  while  her  breast 
heaved  tumultuously.  In  his  earnestness  he  had 
knelt  beside  the  litter  and  clasped  her  small  hand 
in  both  his  own,  while  his  dark,  piercing  eyes, 
filled  with  melting  tenderness,  looked  into  hers. 

"Hortense,  God  planned  it;  God  wills  it;  let  us 
not  resist  His  wish.  Be  my  own — my  wife,  Hor 
tense." 

It  was  some  moments  before  she  could  speak; 
then  she  said  in  a  faint  voice: 

"Your  monastic  vows?" 

"I  have  altered  my  course  in  life  and  I  will 
not  become  a  priest.  Our  religions  differ;  but  if, 
as  you  once  said,  all  the  church  of  God  will  in  the 
end  be  one  grand  brotherhood,  let  us  be  first  to 
unite  the  two  faiths.  Promise  to  become  my  wife, 


"GOD  WILLS  IT;    BK  sir  WIFE,  HOKTEXSE." 


DEFYING    THE   FATES.  293 

Hortense,  and  I  swear  by  all  the  saints  on  the  cal 
endar  and  by  the  great  God  whom  we  worship  that 
I  will  make  you  a  true  and  faithful  husband." 

She  essayed  to  speak,  but  language  failed. 
This  was  the  realization  of  her  dearest  dream,  for 
which  she  had  never  dared  hope.  Putting  her 
arms  about  his  neck,  she  whispered: 

"Yes,  God  wills  it." 

He  rose  like  one  whose  plans  in  life  are  all  made, 
and  stood  by  the  side  of  the  girl  whose  protection 
and  support  he  was  henceforth  to  be. 

Before  either  had  time  to  speak,  they  saw  a  tall 
young  Indian  approaching.  It  was  the  gallant 
Olacatora.  He  was  hunting  for  them,  and,  as  their 
attendants  had  failed  to  return,  Francisco  asked 
him  to  aid  in  carrying  Hortense.  to  the  house  of 
Saturiova,  to  which  Olacatora  assented. 

They  passed  along  a  solitary  forest  road,  cool 
and  dark  in  the  shadow  of  the  woods,  but  hot  and 
glaring  where  it  emerged  and  dipped  into  the 
valley.  In  the  valley  was  a  pretty  Indian  village 
of  the  picturesque  aboriginese  pattern  stretched 
along  the  banks  of  the  river,  which  wound  through, 
green  savannahs  and  orange- groves.  In  the  out 
skirts  of  the  village  was  a  picturesque  lodge,  the 
home  of  the  chief,  Saturiova. 

A  forest  maiden  of  nineteen  or  twenty  years  of 
age  was  coming  along  the  road  alone.  She  was  aq. 


294 


SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 


olive-cheeked  damsel,  with  the  fine,  delicate  beauty 
of  the  wild  flower,  so  rare  among  the  natives  of 
America.  Her  costume,  wild  and  becoming,  of 
the  finest  fawn-skin,  ornamented  with  furs  and 
bright  feathers,  added  to  her  beauty  and  grace. 

Her  wealth  of  luxuriant 
hair  fell  about  her  inno 
cent  face  and  down  upon 
the    shapely    shoulders. 
One   hand   held  a  bou 
quet    of    wild    flowers, 
and  the  other  hung  list 
lessly    at   her   side.       Her    eyes 
were  bright,  as  if  expecting  some 
one    from    the    forest,    and    her 
breath  came  quick,  while  her  cherry  lips,  parted 
by  the    smile  of  an  angel,  revealed  two  rows  of 
pearls.      She  suddenly  discovered  a  strange  group 
approaching  the  village.      Two  men  were  carrying 
a  litter  on  which  sat  a  maiden  of  the  same  age  as 
the  one  just  described,  though  fair  as  the  morning. 
The  smile  brightened,  a  cry  of  joy  escaped  the 
lips  of  the  daughter  of  Saturiova;  she  ran  to  the 
litter,  and  the  maid  of  the  morning  and  the  maiden 
of  twilight  were  clasped  in  each  other's  arms,  each 
murmuring  in  endearing  tones: 
"My  sister!" 
The  wanderer  had  returned.     Old  Saturiova  was 


"A  FOREST  MAIDEN. 


DEFYING    THE   FATES.  295 

found  sitting  in  front  of  his  lodge  smoking  his 
pipe,  and  he  evinced  no  more  surprise  or  concern 
at  the  return  of  Francisco  Estevan  than  if  he  had 
been  gone  but  a  day  instead  of  two  years. 

Hortense  was  taken  to  her  lodge,  where  her  red 
sister  ministered  to  her  wants.  She  gathered  from 
the  forest  leaves  and  roots  known  to  possess  medic 
inal  properties,  beat  them  into  poultices,  and 
bandaged  the  poor  little  wounded  feet. 

Francisco  Estevan  was  invited  to  dine  with  the 
chief,  after  which  he  had  a  Jong  talk  with  the  Ind 
ian,  in  which  he  expressed  his  sincerest  thanks  for 
the  tender  care  with  which  Saturiova  had  protected 
and  guarded  Hortense. 

"She  is  my  own  daughter,"  said  Saturiova, 
"and  I  would  have  defended  her  with  my  life." 

"You  did  well." 

"Must  I  give  her  up?" 

The  question  somewhat  startled  Francisco,  inas 
much  as  it  suggested  the  possibility  of  a  new 
danger.  Should  he  inform  the  Indian  of  his  in 
tention  to  take  her  away,  he  feared  the  savage 
might  conceal  her  in  such  a  way  that  he  would  not 
find  her.  After  a  moment  he  answered: 

"  She  will  always  be  the  daughter  of  the  great 
chief  who  so  nobly  protected  her,  for  she  has  no 
other  father  on  earth.  She  may  go  to  live  in  an 
other  lodge  some  day,  as  will  your  red  daughter 


296  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

when  she  marries;  but  both  will  ever  love  their 
good  father  Saturiova." 

The  chief  answered  by  a  grunt  of  satisfaction, 
and  from  that  moment  Estevan  knew  he  had  won 
the  chief,  and  Hortense  would  be  safe  in  his  keep 
ing.  He  lingered  a  few  days  at  the  Indian  village, 
while  Hortense  rapidly  recovered  under  the  treat 
ment  of  her  red  sister.  On  the  third  day  after  her 
arrival  she  was  able  to  walk  about. 

It  was  again  evening.  The  soft  southern  moon, 
round  and  full,  rose  in  the  heavens,  shedding  a 
flood  of  silver  light  over  the  orange-groves  and 
tropical  everglades,  which  have  long  been  a  syno 
nym  for  grandeur  and  beauty.  The  air  was  bur 
dened  with  perfume  and  all  the  sounds  peculiar  to 
the  tropics. 

Francisco  and  Hortense  wandered  to  a  seat  be 
neath  a  large  tree  and  sat  for  a  long  time  listening  to 
the  sounds  of  nature.  At  last  she  spoke: 

"When  do  you  go?" 

"In  the  morning." 

"To  St.  Augustine?" 

"Yes." 

"Are  you  quite  sure  you  can  safely  return?" 

"Why  not?"  he  answered.  " I  have  been  par 
doned  for  all  past  offences  and  have  committed 
none  since." 

"Fo," 


DEFYING    THE   FATES.  297 

Another  silence  of  several  moments'  duration 
followed,  and  she  asked: 

"Will  you  be  long  gone?" 

"No.  I  cannot  say  how  long ;  but  it  will  be  un 
til  I  am  able  to  return  and  take  you  home  with  me. 
There  you  shall  become  mine,  and  when  you  are 
my  wife  I  can  defend  you  against  all  powers, 
Christian  or  pagan." 

"Even  against  Mendoza?" 

"Mendoza  is  my  friend." 

"And  Melendez?" 

"Melendez  will  not  dare  act  contrary  to  the 
wishes  of  his  chaplain." 

For  a  few  moments  they  sat  gazing  at  the  far-off 
southern  moon  and  the  soft  bright-eyed  stars  which 
seemed  to  sparkle  and  wink  in  approval.  He  was 
the  first  to  break  the  silence. 

"  Hortense,  ours  has  been  a  stormy  life.  It  has 
been  a  long,  hard  road  we  have  travelled;  but 
there  is  happiness  at  the  end.  God  has  led  us  by 
many  steep  and  thorny  paths,  over  many  a  stormy 
sea;  but  He  has  brought  us  to  rest  and  happiness." 

She  clung  fondly  to  him  and  murmured: 

"  Francisco,  the  joy  of  this  moment  seems  to  re 
pay  me  for  the  terrible  past.  God  is  good." 

"Let  us  hope  that  this  is  the  dawn  of  a  brighter 
existence  which  will  not  end  with  this  life,  but 
will  continue  throughout  eternity." 


298  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

They  talked  of  the  future  as  only  betrothed 
couples  do.  That  future  was  bright  to  them,  al 
though  of  this  world's  goods  they  had  nothing  save 
each  other;  but  what  more  did  they  want?  They 
were  in  a  new  world. 

The  stars  never  shone  so  brightly  before,  the 
moon  never  seemed  to  flood  the  earth  with  such 
mellow  light;  the  murmur  of  the  cascade  was  never 
so  gentle;  the  carols  of  the  night  birds  never  so 
musical.  All  nature  was  in  harmony  with  those 
who  were  in  harmony  with  God.  It  is  only  when 
we  become  rebellious  against  nature  and  nature's 
God  that  we  fail  to  see  the  glorious  beauties  which 
lie  in  abundance  about  us. 

Next  morning  Estevan  was  to  set  out  for  St. 
Augustine  to  beard  the  lion  in  his  den  and  ask 
only  life  and  peace  in  the  New  World.  The  parting 
was  short  and  affecting.  Hortense  accompanied 
him  a  short  distance;  then  he  bade  her  adieu, 
clasped  her  a  moment  to  his  breast,  imprinted  a 
kiss  on  her  cheek  and  was  gone,  while  she  re 
turned  to  her  lodge  to  shed  a  few  tears  and  pray 
that  his  efforts  might  be  crowned  with  success. 

There  arose  from  behind  a  cluster  of  flowering 
shrubs  a  tall,  dark  man,  his  great,  burning  eyes 
for  a  moment  fixed  on  the  lodge  in  which  Hortense 
had  disappeared,  and  then  turned  toward  Estevan' s 
retreating  form,  but  dimly  visible  far  down  the 


DEFYING    THE  FATES.  299 

road.  His  face  was  grave,  and  for  a  long  time  he 
stood  motionless  as  a  statue.  What  a  whirlwind 
of  tempestuous  emotions,  what  a  conflict  between 
right  and  wrong  was  raging  in  the  breast  of  that 
savage!  Yet  the  most  astute  reader  of  physiog 
nomy  could  not  have  determined  from  the  fixed 
and  immovable  face  that  his  soul  was  not  as  calm 
as  a  summer  sea. 

Olacatora  was  fighting  a  battle  which  has  to  be 
fought  by  more  than  half  of  Mother  Eve's  sons — a 
conflict  requiring  more  heroism  than  he  displayed 
when,  "alone  and  single-handed,  he  charged  the 
gunner  of  Fort  St.  Mattheo.  Jealous  passion  and 
reason  were  arrayed  against  each  other,  and  at 
times,  when  his  hand  convulsively  clutched  his 
weapon,  it  seemed  as  if  hate  would  conquer. 
Reason  and  gentleness  in  the  end  prevailed,  how 
ever,  and,  with  his  face  as  mild  as  the  holy  morn, 
he  gazed,  long  at  the  lodge  and  murmured: 

"It  is  better.  He  is  of  her  race  and  I  am  only 
her  red  brother." 

Then  he  turned  slowly  about  and  plunged  into 
the  forest  in  an  opposite  direction  to  that  taken  by 
Francisco  Estevan. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CONCLUSION. 

TIME  sped  swiftly  on. 

St.  Augustine  lay  on  the  shore  of  the  river  where 
her  great  fort  and  bristling  guns  seemed  defying 
the  armies  and  navies  of  the  world.  It  was  about 
six  o'clock  in  the  evening.  The  heat  of  the  day 
had  gradually  decreased  and  a  light  evening 
breeze  arose,  seeming  like  the  respiration  of 
nature  on  awaking  from  a  burning  siesta  of  the 
south.  A  small  Spanish  sloop,  chaste  and  elegant 
in  form,  was  gliding  into  the  peaceful  harbor. 
The  motion  resembled  that  of  a  swan  with  its  wings 
opened  toward  the  wind.  By  the  skilful  manoeu 
vring  of  the  man  at  the  helm  it  swept  gracefully 
into  the  bay,  leaving  behind  a  glittering  track. 
By  degrees  the  sun  disappeared  behind  its  western 
horizon ;  but,  as  though  to  prove  the  truth  of  the 
fanciful  ideas  in  heathen  mythology,  its  indiscreet 
rays  reappeared  on  the  summit  of  each  wave,  seem 
ing  to  show  that  the  god  of  fire  had  enfolded  him 
self  in  the  bosom  of  Amphitrite,  who  in  vain  en- 
300 


CONCLUSION.  301 

deavored  to  hide  her  lover  beneath  her  azure 
mantle.  The  little  vessel  moved  rapidly  on, 
though  there  did  not  seem  to  be  sufficient  wind  to 
ruffle  the  curls  on  the  head  of  a  young  girl. 
Standing  in  the  bow  was  a  tall  man  of  dark  com 
plexion,  whose  dress  and  air  indicated  the  Spanish 
sailor  of  the  period.  He  observed  with  dilating 
eyes  that  they  were  approaching  the  dark  mass, 
bristling  with  cannon,  known  as  the  Fort  of  St. 
Augustine. 

Sitting  in  the  stern  of  the  little  vessel  thus  glid 
ing  toward  the  Spanish  fort  were  Francisco  Estevan 
and  Hortense  De  Barre,  peaceful  and  smiling  as  the 
skies  above  them  and  the  gentle  sea  about  them. 
All  the  storm  clouds  seemed  to  have  rolled  away 
from  their  horizon,  and  the  sorrows  of  the  past  were 
but  a  dark  background  on  which  was  to  be  painted 
the  golden  happiness  of  the  future.  Their  mar 
riage  made  in  heaven,  despite  the  bigotry  of  the  age 
which  had  so  long  kept  two  loving  hearts  apart,  was 
soon  to  be  celebrated  on  earth.  They  had  grown 
like  two  trees,  whose  roots  and  branches  are  inter 
twined  and  whose  perfume  rises  together  to  the 
skies. 

Francisco  Estevan  on  his  arrival  at  St.  Augus 
tine,  after  leaving  Hortense  as  related  in  the  last 
chapter,  had  found  Melendez  quite  changed.  He 
received  with  kindness  his  countryman  whom  he 


302  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

had  so  greatly  wronged.  The  terrible  lesson  of  De 
Gourges  had  humbled  the  pride  of  the  haughty 
bigot,  who  knew  that  his  harsh  and  inhuman  con 
duct  toward  the  Huguenots  had  been  severely  crit 
icised  by  the  best  nations  of  Europe,  for  the  age  of 
bigotry  was  on  the  wane.  Though  he  justified 
himself  for  the  atrocious  act  by  the  remembrance 
that  the  men,  women,  and  children  whom  he  had 
ruthlessly  swept  out  of  existence  were  heretics,  and 
that  he  acted  under  the  orders  of  his  king,  he  could 
but  feel  that  the  retribution  visited  upon  him  by 
the  French  was  to  have  been  expected. 

He  was  in  an  humble,  almost  penitent  mood 
when  Mendoza  came  to  him  with  Francisco  Estevan, 
who  had  just  come  in  from  the  forest,  whither,  it 
was  represented,  he  had  fled  at  the  approach  of  the 
French.  In  the  great  whirlpool  of  exciting  events 
which  had  followed  the  attack  on  the  forts,  Helen - 
dez  had  almost,  if  not  quite,  forgotten  Francisco 
Estevan.  As  he  had  not  appeared  after  his  re 
lease,  it  was  generally  thought  that  he  had  per 
ished  in  the  attack,  and  Mendoza  had  offered  up 
many  prayers  for  his  soul.  The  Spanish  admiral 
was  pleased  to  find  him  alive  and  congratulated 
him  on  his  escape. 

Francisco  told  briefly  the  story  of  his  wrongs 
and  the  deceptions  practised  by  John  Gyrot,  who 
had  met  his  fate  at  his  own  hands  in  the  forest. 


CONCLUSION.  3o§ 

Melendez  listened  calmly,  with  but  little  show  of 
emotion,  and  when  he  had  finished  said: 

"  It  is  but  human  to  err,  and  often  we  may  find 
in  this  transitory  life  a  demon  in  the  deceitful 
guise  of  a  man.  It  was  so  in  this  case." 

Before  going  to  Melendez,  Francisco  had  made 
a  full  and  complete  confession  to  Mendoza  of  his 
love  for  Hortense  De  Barre,  and  expressed  his 
wish  that  she  be  allowed  to  come  to  the  Spanish 
settlement  to  be  made  his  wife  according  to  the 
ceremonies  and  rules  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
Though  living  in  that  age  of  bigotry,  Mendoza  was 
a  person  who  could  accommodate  his  conscience 
and  religion  to  suit  the  circumstances  and  wishes 
of  his  friends;  and  though  general  custom,  if  not 
church  law,  forbade  the  marriage  of  a  Catholic  to 
a  Protestant,  he  gave  the  match  his  approval,  and 
was  quite  sure  that,  after  so  many  wonderful 
events  combining  to  bring  about  the  happy  union 
of  Francisco  and  Hortense,  it  must  be  the  will  of 
God.  There  is  no  doubt  that  Mendoza  hoped  to 
proselyte  the  fair  Huguenot  when  once  she  was 
the  wife  of  such  a  firm  Catholic  as  Francisco  Este- 
van.  It  was  Mendoza  who  made  the  plea  for  the 
French  maiden  to  the  Spanish  admiral  and  asked 
that  she  who  had  been  an  object  of  Gy rot's  perse 
cution  from  childhood  be  permitted  to  come  to  St. 
Augustine  to  dwell. 


304  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

After  listening  to  his  spiritual  adviser,  Melen- 
dez,  in  giving  his  consent,  among  other  things 
said: 

"  She  was  a  heretic,  and  doubtless  is  yet.  If  it 
is  our  duty  to  convert  the  heathen  to  the  true  re 
ligion,  may  we  not  hope  also  to  proselyte  a  heretic, 
to  induce  her  to  return  to  the  true  faith  which  she 
has  abandoned?  Let  her  come;  let  the  young  man 
make  her  his  wife.  We  will  be  doing  nothing 
inconsistent  with  the  spirit  and  genius  of  our  in 
stitutions.  We  should  do  nothing  for  revenge, 
though  everything  for  security;  nothing  for  the 
past,  but  everything  for  the  present  and  future." 

Next  day  Estevan  attended  mass  and  spent  a 
long  time  in  solemn  conversation  with  the  priest 
over  the  future  The  young  Spaniard  was  happy, 
and  that  evening  he  set  out  in  the  sloop  which  was 
described  as  returning  at  the  beginning  of  this 
chapter.  He  sailed  along  the  coast  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river  near  the  banks  of  which  was  the  home 
of  Saturiova.  Leaving  his  sloop  at  anchor  in 
charge  of  the  small  crew  which  had  accompanied 
him,  he  proceeded  on  foot  and  alone  to  the  Indian 
village,  where  Hortense  waited  to  greet  him.  The 
day  after  his  arrival,  accompanied  by  the  chief 
and  his  family,  Francisco  and  Hortense  set  out  for 
the  sloop  which  was  to  convey  them  to  St.  Augus 
tine.  They  tried  in  vain  to  prevail  on  Saturiova 


CONCLUSION.  305 

and  his  daughter  to  accompany  them.  The  old 
chief  dared  not  risk  himself  in  the  hands  of  the 
Spaniards  after  all  that  had  occurred,  so  after  an 
affectionate  farewell  the  lovers  went  aboard  the 
little  vessel  and  sailed  out  of  the  harbor  toward  St. 
Augustine. 

The  sombre  shades  of  twilight  had  begun  to 
gather,  the  moon  hung  over  the  western  forest,  and 
the  pale  glow  of  an  evening  star  shot  athwart  the 
path  of  the  dying  day,  as  the  sloop  glided  into  the 
harbor  of  St.  Augustine.  Suddenly  there  came 
from  the  fort  a  blinding  flash  and  the  boom  of  a 
cannon,  and  then  three  more  in  quick  succession. 
The  four  sailors  on  the  sloop  stood  in  the  bow 
with  the  pans  of  their  guns  open  and  match-cords 
lighted,  and  when  the  cannon  fired  they  answered 
the  salute.  A  cheer  went  up  from  the  shore,  which 
was  thronged  with  people;  for  the  romantic  story 
of  Francisco  and  Hortense  had  been  noised  abroad, 
and  the  entire  village  turned  out  to  meet  the  lovers. 

Hortense,  clothed  in  the  garb  of  civilization, 
stepped  ashore  and  was  greeted  with  another  cheer. 
Among  the  throng  were  many  of  the  Huguenot 
women  and  children  who  had  been  spared  from  the 
massacre  at  Carolinia.  Everybody  seemed  to  re 
joice  in  the  happy  termination  of  the  adventures  of 
the  lovers,  and  all  praised  God  that  the  age  of 
bigotry  was  past,  giving  way  to  the  dawn  of  reason. 
20 


306  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

A  Huguenot  widow  who  had  lost  her  husband 
in  the  massacre  at  Carol inia,  and  who  had  since 
lived  with  the  conquerors,  took  Hortense  to  her 
home  until  her  marriage,  which  was  to  be  celebrated 
as  soon  as  her  husband,  with  the  aid  of  his  friends, 
could  erect  a  suitable  house  to  live  in. 

Francisco  had  given  up  all  thought  of  returning 
to  Cuba.  His  parents  had  no  doubt  mourned  him 
as  dead,  even  if  they  were  themselves  in  the  land 
of  the  living.  Now  that  he  had  decided  to  rebel 
against  their  cherished  wishes  and  was  to  marry 
a  Huguenot,  he  could  not  shock  their  religious 
sense  with  the  knowledge.  His  wife,  a  Protes 
tant,  would  never  be  received  as  a  daughter  by  his 
Catholic  mother,  so  he  resolved  to  remain  dead  to 
his  parents.  In  this  New  World  he  would  begin 
a  new  career,  and  carve  out  for  himself  a  name 
for  liberality,  reason,  and  humanity  which  would 
glow  like  a  beacon  light  in  the  coming  age. 

The  Spaniards  gave  him  their  aid  in  building 
his  house.  It  was  only  a  log  hut,  built  after  the 
primitive  fashion,  but  was  very  neat  and  tidy,  the 
walls  hewn  straight  and  whitewashed  inside.  All 
worked  with  a  will,  for  the  good  people  were  elated 
at  the  thought  that  their  colony  was  to  soon  wit 
ness  the  first  Christian  marriage  ever  celebrated 
in  Florida,  fifty-six  years  after  its  discovery.  A 
man  whose  grandfather  came  with  Columbus  on 


CONCLUSION.  307 

his  first  voyage  of  discovery  to  the  New  World  was 
to  wed  a  beauty  from  France.  No  wonder  the 
colony  was  thrown  into  a  flutter  of  excitement. 

Good  Spanish  dames  joined  the  good  French 
women  in  arranging  for  the  event,  and  the  fair 
bride-elect  found  herself  overwhelmed  with  kind 
ness.  What  a  glorious  dawn  after  such  an  awful 
night! 

The  day  for  the  wedding  festivities  came  at  last, 
and  the  Spanish  colony  put  on  a  holiday  appear 
ance.  The  little  church  was  decorated  within  and 
without  with  gay  wild  flowers.  Every  official  was 
present,  even  Melendez,  who  had  volunteered  to 
give  away  the  bride.  The  little  chapel  was  adorned 
and  decorated  until  it  looked  like  a  bit  of  fairy 
land. 

At  last,  when  all  things  were  in  readiness,  the 
people  sang  a  solemn  chant,  at  the  close  of  which 
the  bride  and  groom  entered  the  chapel.  Hortense 
was  dressed  in  a  beautiful  Spanish  robe,  very 
fashionable  at  that  day,  with  a  neat,  modest  ruff, 
and  her  arms,  bare  to  the  shoulders,  sparkled  with 
jewels,  the  presents  of  her  warm-hearted,  sympa 
thetic  friends.  Her  bridal  veil  was  such  as  one 
would  hardly  expect  to  see  in  this  new  land.  It 
was  of  the  finest  gauze,  like  a  fleecy  cloud  from 
the  skilful  looms  of  old  Cadiz,  and  it  adorned  the 
most  lovely  being  in  all  Florida. 


308  SAINT  AUGUSTINE. 

Francisco  Estevan  was  attired  in  the  gay  costume 
of  a  Spanish  cavalier  of  the  period,  wearing  the 
sword  of  a  gentleman  at  his  side.  He  was  a 
noble  specimen  of  manly  beauty — a  splendid  form, 
with  the  carriage  of  one  born  to  command,  and  she 
was  the  ideal  of  womanly  modesty,  loveliness,  and 
simplicity. 

By  the  altar,  in  sacerdotal  robes,  stood  the  priest 
to  officiate  at  this  sacred,  joyous,  and  most  interest 
ing  of  all  ceremonies.  After  the  usual  prayers  and 
Te  Deums,  in  a  solemn  and  impressive  manner, 
he  pronounced  the  marriage  according  to  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  thus  wed  the  Catholic  and 
Huguenot  before  the  grass  grew  green  on  the 
graves  of  those  slain  through  avarice,  hate,  and 
religious  bigotry. 

Francisco  and  Hortense  went  at  once  to  their 
humble  home,  where  they  began  life  together  with 
a  fair  promise  of  happiness  and  tranquillity. 

The  Spaniards  were  left  by  the  evacuation  of 
De  Gourges  for  many  years  without  competitors 
in  Florida,  and  they  applied  themselves  to  fortify 
ing  and  improving  their  settlement  at  St.  Augus 
tine.  Fort  St.  Mattheo  was  suffered  for  a  while  to 
go  to  decay,  and  then  was  rebuilt  under  the  name 
of  San  Juan,  or  St.  John,  the  name  given  the 
river.  St.  Augustine  continued  to  grow  and 
flourish,  and  though  it  has  never  become  a  great 


CONCLUSION.  309 

commercial  city,  it  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being 
the  first  and  oldest  town  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  Francisco  Estevan  and  his  wife  became 
permanent  citizens  of  St.  Augustine,  and  they  and 
their  descendants  figured  prominently  in  the  many 
stirring  events  from  which  was  evolved  the  greatest 
nation  on  earth. 


THE    END. 


HISTORICAL  INDEX. 


PAGE 

Address  of  Melendez  to  soldiers 169 

Aid  from  France 121 

Albert's  search  for  gold 59 

Albert,  assassination  of 59 

Annihilation  of  the  Spaniards  at  the  fort 279 

Armament  of  De  Gourges 229 

Armament  of  Melendez 158 

Assault  of  the  savages 120 

Attack  of  De  Gourges  on  the  Spanish 260 

Attack  on  Fort  Carolinia 177 

Bahama  Straits,  De  Gourges  in 232 

Baracoa,  pirates  seize  prize  at 98 

Barre  chosen  in  place  of  Albert,  assassinated 59 

Behme,  the  murderer  of  Coligni 228 

Brigantine  sighted  by  the  pirate 81 

Cabots  discover  Atlantic  coast  and  Labrador 2 

Callos,  the  kingdom  of  gold  region 109 

Calvin,  John 18 

Cape  Canaveral,  Ribault  wrecked  at 189 

Cape  Frangais  discovered 33 

Cape     Tiberone,    Huguenots    capture     Governor     of 

Jamaica  at 99 

Carolinia  assaulted 177 

Carolinia  changed  to  St.  Mattheo 186 

Cartier  discovers  Canada 2 

Cartier's  report  of  the  New  World 30 

311 


312  HISTORICAL   INDEX. 

PAGE 

Cassenove  sent  to  attack  the  Spanish  from  right  flank.  258 

Cassenove  eager  to  assault  fort  St.  Mattheo 274 

Cassenove  reports  sortie  about  to  be  made  on  the 

French  from  the  Spaniards  in  fort  St. Mattheo.  278 
Catharine  de'  Medici  grants  charter  for  Florida  to  the 

French  Huguenots 32 

Challus 172 

Charles  IX,  King  of  France 28 

Church  built  on  soil  red  with  blood  of  Huguenots 185 

Coligni,  description  of 26 

Coligni's  visit  to  Catharine  de'  Medici 27 

Coligni 's  proposition  for  planting  a  Huguenot  colony 

in  Florida 29 

Coligni  assassinated 228 

Conde,  Prince  of 19 

Cossel  advises  an  attack  by  sea 145 

Cuba,  De  Gourges  at 230 

Culverin  fired  at  the  French 259 

Dauphin  River  discovered 33 

De  Bray,  Peter,  restored  to  his  countrymen 237 

De  Bray  finds  a  guide 255 

Decision  of  Ribault 146 

De  Gourges,  the  avenger  of  the  Huguenots 228 

De  Gourges  lays  his  plans 229 

De  Gourges'  voyage  to  America 230 

De  Gourges  makes  an  address  to  his  followers 230 

De  Gourges  sends  his  trumpeter  to  the  Indians 233 

De  Gourges  confers  with  Saturiova 234 

De  Gourges  makes  known  his  design  to  Saturiova. . . .  235 
De  Gourges  gives  some  advice  to  his  scout  to  be  sent 

to  the  Spanish  forts 244 

De  Gourges  landing  his  troops 245 

De  Gourges  resolves  to  make  a  secret  attack 246 

De  Gourges  at  the  river  Somme 253 

De  Gourges  delayed  and  discouraged  by  rain . . . , .  255 


HISTORICAL   INDEX.  313 

PAGE 

De  Gourges  fording  the  stream 256 

De  Gourges  divides  his  army 258 

De  Gourges  turns  the  Spaniards'  artillery  against  them.  273 
De  Gourges  makes  the  spy  tell  him  all  about  fort  St. 

Mattheo 276 

De  Gourges  prepares  to  attack  Fort  St.  Mattheo 277 

De  Gourges  lays  a  trap  for  the  party  making  the  sortie.  278 
De  Gourges  hangs  the  Spaniards  on  the  same  oak  on 

which  the  French  were  hung 280 

De  Gourges  was  little  better  than  a  pirate 281 

De  Gourges,  disinterested  motives  of 281 

De  Gourges  sails  for  Europe ;  arrives  at  Rochelle 282 

De  Gourges  treated  coolly  at  court  and  warned  to  fly. 

He  goes  to  Rouen 283 

De  Gourges,  death  of 283 

Demolishing  of  the  three  forts 282 

De  Moutluc  gives  De  Gourges  a  commission 229 

De  Moutluc  extols  the  valor  of  De  Gourges 282 

Desertion  of  Fort  St.  Mattheo 279 

Des  Fourneaux  turns  pirate 77 

Despondency  of  the  French 112 

D'Estampes  sent  with  Olacatora 244 

D'Estampes  and  Indian  return 245 

D'Estampes  makes  his  report 246 

Dieppe,  Huguenots  sail  from 33 

Diet  at  Spiers,  1529 17 

Dissatisfaction  in  colony 76 

Donnacona's  report  concerning  fur-bearing  animals. .  30 

D'Oranger  chosen  chief  of  pirates 80 

D' Granger  captures  governor  of  Jamaica 99 

D'Oranger  captured  and  hung 100 

Elizabeth,  queen  of  England,  listens  to  Huguenots. ...  60 

Embassadors  effect  a  compromise 120 

Embassadors  sent  to  Fort  Carolinia 191 

Escape  of  Laudonniere,  Challus  and  Le  Moyne 182 


314  HISTORICAL   INDEX. 

PARK 

Escape  of  Huguenots  sent  to  Hispaniola 189 

Europe's  envy  of  Spain 281 

Eve  of  St.  Bartholomew  massacre 228 

Execution  of  the  pirates  by  order  of  Laudonniere. . . .  108 

Fall  of  Fort  Carolinia..: 178 

Fall  of  Fort  St.  Mattheo 280 

Florida,  De  Gourges  on  the  coast  of 232 

Fort  Charles  built  by  the  Huguenots 33 

Fort  Carolinia  built 67 

Fort  Carolinia  changed  to  Fort  St.  Mattheo 186 

Founding  of  St.  Augustine 161 

French  names  given  to  Floridian  streams 58 

French  colonists  beg  to  return 115 

French  army  training  for  conflict 245 

French  and  Indians  decide  on  a  rendezvous 246 

French  soldiers  begin  the  march  on  the  Spaniards. . . .  256 

French  army  wading  the  stream 256 

French  officers  reconnoitring 257 

French  in  sight  of  Spanish  fort 259 

French  assailed  by  the  artillery  in  the  second  Spanish 

fort 273 

Gonzalo  de  Villareal,  Governor  of  St.  Mattheo 188 

Governor  of  Jamaica's  stratagem 100 

Guise,  Duke  of 19 

Guise,  Duke  of,  assassination  of  Coligni 228 

Hanging  of  the  Huguenots 186 

Havana,  Cuba,  metropolis  of  West  Indies 1 

Havre  de  Grace,  Laudonniere  sails  from 63 

Hawkins  sails  for  England 124 

Hispaniola,  pirates  at 98 

Huguenot  leaders 19 

Huguenots,  condition  of,  in  Florida 120 

Huguenots  ready  to  return  to  France 128 

Huguenots  who  are  captured  and  sent  to  Hispaniola 

revolt  and  capture  the  ship 189 


HISTORICAL   INDEX.  315 

PAGB 

Huguenots  slain  by  Melendez 194 

Hurricane  sweeps  over  Florida 71 

Hurricane  strikes  Ribault's  fleet 152 

Indians  refuse  to  sell  food  to  the  French 113 

Indians  insult  the  French 115 

Indians  demand  their  chief  of  the  French 118 

Inquisition  re-established  by  the  church  of  Rome. ...  18 
Inscription  on  the  tree  where  the  Huguenots  were 

hung 186 

Inscription  on  the  tree  on  which  the  Spaniards  were 

hung 281 

Jesuits,  order  of,  created 18 

Jourdan  River,  Huguenots  on  the 33 

King  Callas  of  the  golden  region 109 

King  Philip's  orders  to  Melendez 159 

King  of  Spain  sends  an  armed  squadron  to  intercept 

De  Gourges 282 

La  Croix  the  pirate 77 

Landing  of  Melendez 158 

La  Roche  Ferriere's  explorations 108 

Laudonniere,  Rene 61 

Laudonniere  sails  for  America 63 

Laudonniere  quarrels  with  Saturiova  about  prisoners.  70 
Laudonniere  seized  and  robbed  by  the  conspirators. . .  79 

Laudonniere  arrests  the  pirates 102 

Laudonniere  burns  the  Indian  town 115 

Laudonniere  induced  to  arrest  Outina 116 

Laudonniere  left  to  protect  Fort  Carolinia 150 

Laudonniere  fears  an  attack  by  land 174 

Laudonniere  hails  the  ships  of  young  Ribault 187 

Laudonniere,  Challus  and  Le  Moyne  sail  for  Europe 

in  the  same  ship 188 

Laudonniere  quarrels  with  young  Ribault 188 

Le  Moyne,  Jacob 61 

Le  Moyne,  the  friend  of  Laudonniere 172 


316  HISTORICAL   INDEX. 

PAGB 

Luther,  Martin,  leads  the  reformation 17 

Magellan  goes  around  the  world 2 

Malcontents  sent  to  France 76 

March  of  the  Spaniards 166 

March  of  Ribault's  shipwrecked  crews  to  Fort  Caro- 

linia 190 

Mass  performed  on  the  scene  of  Spanish  victory 184 

May  River,  settlement  on 67 

May  River,  French  fly  to 194 

Medici,  Catharine  de',  princess  regent 19 

Medici,  Catharine  de',  receives  Coligni 27 

Medici,  Catharine  de',  description  of 28 

Medici,  Catharine  de',  ruins  her  children 227 

Medici,  Catharine  de',  joins  league  against  the  Hu 
guenots  228 

Melancthon,  Philip,  great  reformer 17 

Melendez  (or  Menendez)  threatens  the  French  Hugue 
nots  colonized  in  Florida 142 

Melendez  on  the  coast 144 

Melendez  sails  from  Fort  Carolinia 150 

Melendez,  history  of 159 

Melendez'  fleet 159 

Melendez  addresses  his  followers 164 

Melendez  prepares  to  attack  Fort  Carolinia 165 

Melendez  publishes  an  order  sparing  women  and  chil 
dren 183 

Melendez  returns  to  St.  Augustine 188 

Melendez'  lying  promises  to  spare  Ribault  and  follow 
ers  if  they  will  surrender 191 

Melendez  keeps  faith  with  the  Huguenots  on  the  May 

River 194 

Melendez  acting  in  concert  with  the  court  of  France. .  227 

Mendoza  performs  mass 164 

Mendoza's  enthusiasm  to  convert  the  heathen 249 

Mona,  De  Gourges  at 230 


HISTORICAL   INDEX.  317 

PAGE 

Natives  prepare  to  resist  De  Gourges 231 

Night  march  of  the  French 256 

Nuggets  of  gold  brought  to  Laudonniere  by  a  Spanish 

slave 108 

Number  of  Huguenots  slain  at  Fort  Carolinia 182 

Olacatora,    the  nephew  of  Saturiova,   sent  to  watch 

Fort  Carolinia 244 

Onathaca's  two  white  slaves 108 

Ottigny  slain 194 

Outina,  the  Indian  cacique 72 

Outina  becomes  jealous 108 

Outina  defeats  his  enemies Ill 

Outina  captured  by  the  French 117 

Paraousties  of  Florida 59 

Pelagius,  French  prisoners  sent  in,  to  Hispaniola 189 

Peter  de  Bray 182 

Pirates  sail,  quarrel  and  separate  at  River  May 80 

Pirates  plunder  brigantine 84 

Pirates  led  into  a  trap 100 

Potanou,  death  of 73 

Protestants,  how  formed 17 

Queen  Mary  married  to  Philip,  King  of  Spain 158 

Raleigh,  Walter 32 

Reception  of  Melendez  at  St.  Augustine  after  murder 
ing  the  Huguenots 189 

Reformation,  the 2 

Rendezvous  of  the  French  and  Indians  on  the  river 

Somme 253 

Report  of  Vasseur 190 

Retribution  of  the  French 260 

Ribault,  John 33 

Ribault's  return , 130 

Ribault  hears  of  the  approach  of  Melendez 141 

Ribault  holds  a  council  of  war 145 

Ribault  sails  to  attack  Melendez 151 


318  HISTORICAL   INDEX. 

PAGK 

Ribault  is  shipwrecked  on  the  coast  of  Florida 157 

Ribault  in  sight  of  St.  Augustine 163 

Ribault  determines  to  return  to  Fort  Carolinia 189 

Ribault  and  men  seized  and  slain 193 

Roche,  Ferriere,  sent  to  explore  Outina's  canton 77 

Rumor  of  Melendez  being  sent  to  exterminate  the 

Huguenots 131 

St.  Augustine  founded 161 

St.  Augustine  left  in  charge  of  a  brother  of  Melendez.  166 

St.  Augustine,  French  started  to  work  on  fort 194 

St.  Augustine  fortified  and  improved 308 

St.  Croix  River 33 

St.  Mattheo 186 

St.  Mattheo  to  be  reduced 274 

St.  Mattheo  suffered  to  go  to  decay,  then  rebuilt  under 

the  name  of  San  Juan 308 

Saturiova,  Indian  chief 63 

Saturiova  seeks  aid  of  the  French 65 

Saturiova  marches  to  war  alone 69 

Saturiova  receives  the  French  gladly 233 

Saturiova  gluts  his  vengeance 280 

Saturiova  tells  of  Spanish  cruelty 234 

Saturiova  summons  neighboring  chiefs  to  war  council 

with  French  244 

Saturiova  promises  not  to  desert  the  French 256 

Saturiova  urges  the  French  to  remain 282 

Scouts  sent  to  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Carolinia  to 

watch  the  Spaniards 244 

Ships  discovered 122 

Shipwreck  of  Ribault 128 

Silver  brought  to  the  French 68 

Sir  John  Hawkins  at  Fort  Carolinia 123 

Soldiers  left  with  Outina 110 

Somme  (or  Suraba)  River,  French  at 253 

Spaniards  murmur 167 


HISTORICAL   INDEX.  319 

PAGE 

Spaniards  refuse  to  advance 168 

Spaniards  discover  French 259 

Spaniards  in  fort  discovered  in  commotion 257 

Spaniards  reserved  for  hanging 260 

Spaniards  at  St.  Mattheo  make  a  sortie 278 

Spaniards  fall  into  hands  of  Indians 280 

Spanish  sergeant  captured 274 

Spanish  sergeant  made  to  betray  his  countrymen 275 

Spanish  soldier  and  Ribault 193 

Speech  of  Melendez  to  soldiers 169 

Spy  captured 276 

Stephen,  a  conspirator 77 

Stephen,  Des  Fourneaux  and  La  Croix  escape 101 

Storms  delay  De  Gourges 255 

Tacatacouran  River,  French  enter  the 232 

Timagoa .^ 65 

Trenchant,  the  honest  pilot,  determines  to  return  to 

Florida 101 

Trinity,  Ribault's  flag-ship 151 

Trumpeter  sent  by  Ribault  to  confer  with  the  natives.  233 

Under  siege 118 

Vasseur  and  D'Erlac  return  the  Indian  prisoners  to 

Timagoa 72 

Vasseur  sails  for  Fort  Carolinia 190 

Verazzani's  discoveries  in  Canada 2 

White  men  first  heard  of  as  slaves 108 

Wreck  of  Ribault's  fleet  on  Florida  coast 157 

Written  promise  of  Melendez  to  protect  the  French . . .  192 

Yaguana,  pirates  sail  for 80 

Yaguana,  pirates  careen  prize  at 98 

Young  Ribault  takes  Laudonniere  on  board  his  vessel.  187 
Zuingliss,  the  reformer  in  Switzerland 17 


CHEOISTOLOGT. 


PERIOD  III.— AGE  OF  BIGOTRY. 
A.D.  1547  TO  A.D.  1570. 

1529.  REFORMATION  BY  MARTIN  LUTHER  commenced. 
1547.  ACCESSION  OP  EDWARD  VI.  to  throne  of  France, 

—Jan.  28. 
1553.  ACCESSION   OF   MARY   I.   to   throne  of  England, 

—  July  6. 

PERSECUTION  OF  ENGLISH  PURITANS  commenced. 
1558.  ACCESSION  OF  ELIZABETH  to  throne  of  England, — 

Nov.  17. 

1561.  COLIGNI  secured  a  patent  from  Charles  IX.  to  settle 

Huguenots  in  Florida. 

1562.  RIBAULT  sailed  from   Dieppe,   France,    with  two 

vessels  of  Huguenots,  to  settle  in  Florida, — 
Feb.  18. 

1563.  HUGUENOTS  left  by  Ribault  in  Florida  abandon 

tho  country. 

1564.  LAUDONNIERE  with  Huguenots  sailed  from  Havre 

de  Grace  for  Florida, — April  23. 

HUGUENOTS  settled  in  Florida  and  built  Fort  Caro 
lina  on  St.  John's  River. 

JOHN  CALVIN  died  in  Switzerland. 

1565.  RIBAULT  joined  Laudonniere  at  Fort  Carolina. 
MELENDEZ  FOUNDED  ST.  AUGUSTINE,  oldest  Euro 
pean  town  in  the  United  States, — Aug.  29. 

21  321 


322  CHRONOLOGY. 

MELENDEZ  massacred   Huguenots   on   St.  John's 
River. 

1567.  DB    GOURGES   sailed    with    men   and   vessels  to 

avenge  the  Huguenots, — Aug.  22. 

1568.  DE  GOURGES  MASSACRED  THE  SPANISH  and  hanged 

some  on  the  spot  of  Melendez'  massacre  in 
retribution. 


THE 


A  COMPLETE  HISTORY  OF  OUR  COUNTRY, 

FROM  THE  TIME  OF  COLUMBUS  DOWN  TO  THE  PRESENT  DAY,  IN  THE  FORM 
OF  TWELVE  COMPLETE  STORIES. 


BY 


JOHN  R.  MUSICK. 


ONE  HUNDRED  HALF-TONE  PLATES,  MAPS  OF  THE  PERIOD,  AND  NUMEROUS 
PEN-AND-INK  DRAWINGS,  BY  F.  A.  CARTER. 


Vol 

I. 

Vol 

II. 

Vol 

III. 

Vo 

IV. 

Vol 

V. 

Vo 

VI. 

Vo 

VII. 

Vo 

VIII. 

Vo 

IX. 

Vo 

X. 

Vo 

XI. 

Vol.  XII. 


TITLES ; 

Columbia :    A  Story  of  the  Discovery  of  America. 
Estevan  :     A  Story  of  the  Spanish  Conquests. 
St.  Augustine:     A  Story  of  the  Huguenots. 
Pocahontas:     A  Story  of  Virginia. 
The  Pilgrims  :     A  Story  of  Massachusetts. 
A  Century  Too  Soon :     A  Story  of  Bacon's  Rebellion. 
The  Witch  of  Salem  ;  or,  Credulity  Run  Mad. 
Braddock:     A  Story  of  the  French  and  Indian  Wars. 
Independence:     A  Story  of  the  American  Revolution. 
Sustained  Honor :     A  Story  of  the  War  of  1812. 
Humbled  Pride  :    A  Story  of  the  Mexican  War. 
Union  :    A  Story  of  the  Great  Rebellion  and  of  Events 
down  to  the  Present  Day. 


UNIVERSITY  ol 
AT 

LOS  ANGELES 
LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


mL9 — 15m-10,'48(B1039)444 


PS     Musick  - 
2U59   Saint  August- 
M966s  ine . 


